UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 25 -- The United Nations Security Council should adopt a prudent and responsible attitude toward the question of sanctions, a Chinese envoy to the UN said here on Tuesday.

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, voiced this opinion at a meeting of the Security Council on the question of sanctions.

In coping with situations concerned, the council should give priority to such means as mediation, good offices and negotiations, Wang said, adding that sanctions can be imposed only after every other non-coercive means is exhausted.

"Sanctions should not be a tool of a country in the pursuit of power politics," he said. "The domestic law of one country should not become the basis for sanctions against other states."

"China is against the practice of imposing sanctions on other countries on the basis of one's domestic law," he added.

Noting sanctions are not the goal, but the means, Wang said the council sanctions must help the overall political settlement of the issues concerned and that their formulation, implementation and enforcement must meet the needs of the political settlement.

All actions taken must be conducive to the easing of tensions and the mediation efforts of countries and regional organizations, Wang said, adding that sanctions can not be imposed for sanctions' sake and must not disturb the efforts to seek a political settlement.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has always taken a prudent and responsible attitude toward sanctions to improve their pertinence and effectiveness. China is willing to work together with other UN members to help the UN better fulfill its obligations and make active and positive contributions to safeguarding the common security and lasting peace of the world, Wang said.

Under the UN Charter, the Security Council can take enforcement measures to maintain or restore international peace and security. Such measures range from economic and other sanctions not involving the use of armed force to international military action.