Beijing opposes US sanctions on North Korea

China reacts strongly to the unilateral sanctions imposed by the US on North Korea. Photo: Internet

“China firmly opposes…the US using its domestic law to impose unilateral measures on Chinese entities and individuals,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. China demands that such erroneous actions be stopped immediately to avoid harming bilateral cooperation in areas related to North Korea.

The comments came after White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the US would continue its campaign of maximum pressure on North Korea to force it to halt its nuclear weapons program. Despite the growing atmosphere of reconciliation between the two Koreas, Sanders made it clear that the new US sanctions against North Korea were the “strongest yet” and the US would continue this form.

Earlier, on February 23, US President Donald Trump announced the imposition of new sanctions, considered the “largest ever” to further isolate Pyongyang. At the same time, he expressed hope that these measures would bring positive results. The announcement came just hours after President Trump’s daughter Ivanka arrived in South Korea to attend the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The US sanctions will target more than 50 trading and shipping companies suspected of helping North Korea evade sanctions on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The list includes one individual, 27 companies and 28 vessels registered or headquartered in North Korea, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Panama, Tanzania, the Marshall Islands and the Comoros. The assets and interests of these companies are also blocked in the US or under US national control. Any transactions between the parties are also blocked.

Beijing’s response did not surprise analysts. China accounts for more than 90% of North Korea’s trade and is the main source of economic support. China has always maintained that sanctions against North Korea can only be decided within the multilateral framework of the United Nations, not unilaterally by a third country under its own laws.

As for the United Nations, in 2017, it passed three economic sanctions against the Pyongyang government, especially on the oil, iron, coal, fishing and textile industries. These sanctions are intended to force North Korea to continue to participate in discussions about its nuclear and ballistic missile activities.