UNITED NATIONS - China's Permanent Representative to the UN Li Baodong said here Thursday that caution should be called for in metering out sanctions in international affairs.

Li made the remarks when addressing a Security Council open debate on the question of justice and rule of law.

"We are in favor of improving the UN sanction regime on the basis of extensive consultations so as to improve its credibility, procedures and establishing effective monitoring mechanisms and to establish strict criteria, define timelines, " Li said.

"Sanctions should be only carried out on basis of facts and evidence. Double standards must be avoided. Impacts against civilian lives and social economic development must be minimized," the ambassador said.

Stressing that the UN chart and the fundamental principles of international law as established in it should be upheld, Li said rule of law in international relations should be strengthened.

The Charter as well as principles of international law established in it constitute the call of rule of law in international relations and represents the bedrock for developing rule of law in international relations, he said.

"In the conduct of international relations and international affairs, adherence to the Charter and other fundamental principles of international law, such as respect for national sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, fulfillment in international obligation in real earnest is the essence of promotion of international rule of law," said Li.

According to the Charter, UN Security Council resolutions constitute the integral part of international rule of law. Promotion of international rule of law requires strict implementation of the Security Council resolutions by member states, he added.

"It does not allow arbitrary distortion or expansive interpretation of the contents of resolutions, still less the adoption of any action beyond mandate by the Council resolutions," he said.

Besides, the international community should be committed to peaceful settlement of disputes and conflicts, Li said, adding that the development of rule of law in countries in conflict or post-conflict situation should be addressed in a holistic and comprehensive manner.  

He also called for proper handling of the relation between maintenance of peace and pursuit of justice.

"We condemn all acts of violation against human rights and acts in violation of humanitarian laws. We support penalizing grave international crimes such as war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity," he said.

"In the meantime, we believe that peace and justice should facilitate and compliment each other. Pursuit of justice should promote rather than interfere in peace processes. It should facilitate rather hinder national reconciliation," said Li, adding that the problem of impunity can only be settled in the situation of eased tension and political stability.