Beijing does not want to see North Korea carry out a new nuclear test, according to China’s U.N. envoy
China has vetoed a U.S.-led bid to impose new sanctions on Pyongyang over renewed ballistic missiles launches.
China’s Ambassador is warning against presumptions over how Beijing may react if North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-Un authorises such tests.
“Let’s see what will happen, but I think we should not prejudge what will happen with a nuclear test.”
CHINA’S U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun
Washington is warning the tests could happen at ‘any time’ and it is seeking to push for more sanctions.
Russia also vetoed the draft resolution, which split the 15-member Security Council for the first time since it started punishing Pyongyang in 2006.
Both China and Russia want the sanctions to ease on humanitarian grounds. They believe there may be hope for North Korea to engage in dialogue with the U.S.
But the U.S. and its allies remain concerned North Korea is planning to go ahead with its first nuclear test since 2017.
The nation has carried out dozens of missile launches this year, including intercontinental ballistic missiles.
These tests break a non-binding agreement reached between Kim Jong Un and then-U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018.
