China pledges to enforce sanctions on North Korea, but also calls for talks

Manila [Philippines], August 8 (ANI): China acknowledged that it is Beijing that will sacrifice its own economic interests to enforce economic sanctions on Pyongyang so as to force the reclusive country to curb its nuclear weapons programme.

"If we consider traditional economic relations between China and North Korea, it is China that will have to pay most of the price for implementation of the latest resolution," Russia Today quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as saying at the ASEAN Forum in Manila.

Wang said China is prepared to go against its own economic interests "for the sake of supporting international system of nuclear non-proliferation and to maintain peace and stability in the region."

However, both Russia and China has urged all parties involved to resume the six-party talks to resolve the crisis after the tensions escalated with North Korea test-launching two suspected ICBMs in July.

The six-party talks comprising South Korea, Japan, China, the US, Russia, and North Korea ended in 2009 when North Korea walked out and officially notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it would resume its nuclear program.

Speaking at the ASEAN ministerial security forum on Monday, U S Secretary of State Rex Tillerson apparently stated one precondition for direct talks between the US and North Korea, saying that "stopping missile launches" would be "the best signal that North Korea can give us that they are prepared to talk."

Favouring for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated "I believe that with a sensible approach from all the players, including the US, South Korea, Japan, we will be able to find a solution that would work for all parties."(ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI