Last year, the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to adopt resolution 232 1 on 30 October to strengthen sanctions against North Korea as a response to its fifth nuclear test on 9 September this year. The resolution requires North Korea to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs, and impose restrictions on the export of coal and other mineral products, North Korea's largest source of foreign exchange.

On March 2 this year, the United Nations Security Council adopted a new resolution on North Korea. Although the new resolution contains new sanctions against North Korea, it is generally balanced and has a clear direction. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China voted in favour of this new resolution.

For the purpose of maintaining peace in Northeast Asia and even the world, China supports the United Nations to make a necessary and appropriate response to North Korea's nuclear test and satellite launch, with the aim of preventing North Korea from going further and further on the road of developing nuclear weapons. In addition, China voted in favour of the new resolution, so as to put the North Korean nuclear issue back on the track of dialogue and negotiation.

Resolution 232 1 restricts North Korea's coal exports, prohibits North Korea from exporting copper, nickel, silver and zinc, and imposes certain restrictions on the activities of North Korea's diplomatic agencies.

On March 2 this year, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2270, including all previous sanctions resolutions.