China expressed its opposition on Thursday to unilateral sanctions against North Korea, saying they could raise international tension.
US President Barack Obama on Wednesday imposed sweeping new sanctions on North Korea intended to further isolate its leadership after recent nuclear and rocket tests, seen by the United States and its allies as provocative.
The new sanctions threaten to ban from the global financial system anyone who does business with much of North Korea's economy, including its financial, mining and transport sectors.
The so-called secondary sanctions will compel banks to freeze the assets of anyone who breaks the blockade, potentially squeezing out North Korea's business ties, including those with China.
Asked whether China was worried the sanctions could affect "normal" business links between Chinese banks and North Korea, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said this was something China was "paying attention to".
"First, as I've said many times before, China always opposes any country imposing unilateral sanctions," Lu told a daily news briefing in Beijing.
"Second, under the present situation where the situation on the Korean Peninsula is complex and sensitive, we oppose any moves that may further worsen tensions there.
"Third, we have clearly stressed many times in meetings with the relevant county, any so-called unilateral sanctions imposed by any country should neither affect nor harm China's reasonable interests."
China is North Korea's sole major ally but it disapproves of its nuclear program and calls for the Korean peninsula to be free of nuclear weapons.
North Korea conducted a nuclear test in January 6, and on February 7 it launched a rocket that the United States and its allies said employed banned ballistic missile technology.
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