China urges prudence over DPRK sanctions

China Tuesday asked the United Nations to respond prudently to the rocket launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as Security Council members scheduled a second meeting.

"China is always careful about imposing sanctions. We believe the response of the Security Council should be conducive to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia as well as the Six-Party Talks," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.

The Security Council failed to agree on a collective response to the launch at an emergency meeting held on Sunday. Council members agreed to continue consultations on the issue.

Jiang said satellite launches are totally different from missile or nuclear tests.

"This issue also involves the country's rights to use outer space peacefully. We believe the UN Security Council should respond to that prudently," she said.

Russia also warned against a hasty decision.

"It is clear that the situation does not arouse joy, it arouses concerns," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.

By contrast, Japan and the US urged for a strong response.

"If the violation is left as is, the credibility and the authority of the Security Council will be undermined," said Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone. "We are working with countries involved so that the Security Council can together send out a strong message soon."

The US wants to have a strong, effective, coordinated response from the Security Council, the State Department said on Monday.

China hopes parties remain calm, keep long-term interests in mind and jointly safeguard the peace and stability of the region, Jiang said, adding that the country "is willing to continue its constructive role in this area".

She said it serves the interests of both the regional countries and the international community to promote Six-Party Talks and realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Analysts doubt if a new resolution would come out of the Security Council meeting.

"Council members are unlikely to agree on a new resolution," said Jin Canrong, a professor at the School of International Studies of Renmin University of China.

Jin said that the stance of both Japan and the US is tougher than he expected.

"In this way, the US may want China to impose pressure on the DPRK in future Six-Party Talks," Jin said.

"But China and Russia will call for an appropriate reaction from the UN as they want to leave some space for politically resolving the DPRK nuclear issue," Jin added.