China: Cool it on Korean Peninsula

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Liu Jieyi has called for all sides to avoid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Liu made the comment on Monday when China voted against the discussion of human rights record of North Korea in the UN Security Council.

The 15-member council voted 11-2-2 with China and Russia voted against and two nations abstained.

Liu said China has consistently opposed politicizing human rights issues and using human rights as an excuse to pressure other countries.

"The Security Council is not a place to interfere in the human rights issue and we oppose the Security Council to pass any outcome documents on DPRK's human rights issue," Liu said.

He said the Security Council should focus on addressing issues that are genuinely relevant to world peace and security.

Liu said as a close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China will not tolerate chaos and wars on the peninsula. He described the situation on the peninsula as "still complex and sensitive."

"We hope that members of the Security Council and relevant parties can put more weight on promoting denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and safeguarding peace and stability of the Peninsula, do more things that are conducive to easing the situation, and refrain from any words or actions that may escalate the tension," Liu said.

He said that China will commit itself to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and abide by the principle of maintaining peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and seeking solutions through dialogue and negotiations.

"Our stance is clear and steady," Liu said.

He hoped relevant parties to make concerted efforts and take concrete steps to create conditions for resuming the Six Party Talks.

The talks, which involved countries of the two Koreas, China, the US, Japan and Russia, are aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, but they have been stalled since 2008.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying reiterated Liu's statement on Tuesday during a daily briefing.

The Associated Press on Monday quoted DPRK diplomat Kim Song as saying that "we totally reject the attempt" to bring the human rights issue to the Security Council.

Analysts said it is inappropriate for certain countries to take advantage of the UN Security Council to interfere into Pyongyang's domestic affairs.

"China's policy has been consistent that every country has its human rights problems and its explanations. The DPRK is no exception. However, human right differences among states should be resolved through dialogue and consultation, instead of imposing on judgment and sanctions," said Huang Youfu, a professor of Korean studies at Minzu University of China in Beijing.

"In the United States, horrid human right cases such as CIA torturing detainees and Ferguson shooting also exist. Washington launched a war in Iraq due to 'alleged' weapons of mass destruction. If Pyongyang's human rights conditions is worth the UN's attention, so is Washington," Huang said.

A 400-page report released in February by the UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in the DPRK accused the DPRK of various human rights violations.

The report claimed that ordinary North Koreans faced "unspeakable atrocities", including "deliberate starvation, forced labour, executions, torture" and political repression. DPRK'srepresentative to the UN didn't address the Security Council meeting on Monday, but Pyongyang dismissed the commission's report.

AP and Chen Weihua contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at puzhendong@chinadaily.com.cn