The photo, taken on Feb. 19, shows Hong Lei, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn] China has urged all parties involved in the Korean nuclear issue to act prudently and not to aggravate the situation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei says tougher sanctions and pressure may worsen the situation. "Under the current sensitive situation of the Korean Peninsula, all parties should stay calm, exercise restraint and should not do things that may escalate the situation. China believes that no hot issues can be resolved through simple means of sanctions and pressure. Nor will any action that hurt the interests of third-parties can solve the problem, and they will only complicate the situation. We hope all parties involved can act prudently and not to cause troubles." The comment comes after U.S. President Barack Obama signed-off on new sanctions on North Korea. The new law requires the US government to sanction anyone involved with North Korea"s nuclear program. It also targets anyone who sells luxury goods, launders money or supports human rights abuses in North Korea. The new US law also authorizes 10-million US dollars a year for the next 5-years to fund non-sanctioned broadcasts into North Korea, as well as to assist anyone who leaves North Korea. North Korea launched an Earth observation satellite into orbit earlier this month and tested what it claimed was a hydrogen bomb last month. |
