UN resolution on DPRK nuclear test 'balanced'

BEIJING - China on Thursday voiced support for the United Nations' latest resolution on Pyongyang's nuclear test, saying it is "balanced."

In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said, "China supports the UN Security Council's necessary and moderate response to the nuclear test of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)."

The UN Security Council on Thursday passed unanimously resolution 2094 on condemning the DPRK's third nuclear test, which took place on February 12. The DPRK also conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.

The resolution demanded the DPRK not to proceed with any further nuclear tests, give up any nuclear arms program and return to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The resolution also urged peaceful, diplomatic and political resolution to the current situation and a resumption of the six-party talks.

Qin said the resolution reflects the international community's opposition to the DPRK's nuclear test and promises to resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue by peaceful means, while reaffirming the resumption of the six-party talks. "Overall, it is balanced."

He said it is in the fundamental interests of the international community to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and northeast Asia.

China urged relevant parties to remain calm and restrained and refrain from taking any action that could escalate tensions, the spokesman said.

Qin called for all parties to stick to negotiations and seek denuclearization of the Peninsula under the framework of the six-party talks and explore effective ways to attain lasting peace and stability in the region.