Further Beijing comments on North Korea, BRICS summit

published: 2017-09-09 11:15:42(4 Sep 2017) China warned North Korea on Monday against proceeding with its reported plans to launch another ballistic missile, saying it should not carry out actions that could worsen tensions. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular briefing that North Korea “must be very clear” that UN Security Council resolutions prohibit such activities. South Korea’s Defence Ministry said earlier on Monday that North Korea appeared to be planning a future missile launch, possibly of an ICBM. In Beijing, Geng said China hoped all parties, especially North Korea, “exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that could further escalate tensions.” Geng also expressed frustration at Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s comment that Beijing had a responsibility to influence North Korea due to its status as the North’s main trading partner. “We keep stressing that we cannot solely rely on China to resolve this issue,” said Geng. Meanwhile Geng refused to comment when asked about a joint declaration agreed by the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on Monday, to strengthen cooperation against a range of organisations it described as terrorist, including some based in Pakistan.

New Delhi has hailed the declaration as a diplomatic victory.