China opposes sanction on N. Korea
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-09-19 21:14

BEIJING -- China is opposed to financial sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang on Tuesday, warning against further complication of the thorny issue.

(Related: Japan OKs more sanctions on N. Korea)

The spokesman, in a comment on Japan's newly-approved financial sanctions on the DPRK, urged all sides in the six-party nuclear talks to keep calm and exercise restraint.

China has always maintained that the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula should be solved through dialogues, Qin told a press briefing.

"All parties concerned should focus on how to resume the talks as soon as possible and avoid any action that may further complicate the situation," the spokesman said.

He said that the situation on the peninsula is sensitive and complicated, calling for efforts to ease the tension.

However, Qin said that China has no plan to attend a 10-nation meeting proposed by the United States on the nuclear issue.

Tuesday marked the first anniversary of the Joint Statement of the six-party talks.

The statement, adopted at the end of the fourth round of talks on September 19, 2005, was regarded as the most substantial document since talks began in August 2003.

The statement offered a framework for solving the nuclear issue through dialogues, Qin said, urging all parties to make efforts to implement the statement.

The six-party talks, involving China, the DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, have stalled after the first phase of the fifth round of talks ended last November.