The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to impose new and tougher sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday. China, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, voted in favor of the resolution.

The DPRK announced a nuclear test on Jan. 6, the country's fourth since 2006. On Feb. 7, it launched a long-range rocket carrying a satellite. Afterward, the U.N. Security Council issued a statement condemning the DPRK's use of ballistic missile technology to carry out the launch, promising to adopt a new resolution to deal with the situation. 

But why did China vote in favor of the new resolution?

First, the DPRK has repeatedly violated U.N. resolutions, endangering the nonproliferation regime and undermining the authority of the U.N. Security Council. What's more, closer to home, the DPRK has violated multilateral and bilateral agreements involving nuclear or missile technology, threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula and the stability of Northeast Asia.

Therefore, for the maintenance of peace in Northeast Asia and the world, China supports the U.N.'s necessary and appropriate response to the DPRK's nuclear test and satellite launch. The aim of the resolution is to halt further nuclear and missile advances. China, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, assumes important responsibility for international peace and security.

China also voted in favor of the new resolution because it aims to deter the DPRK's nuclear and missile development program and protect lives of everyday DPRK residents.

The new resolution is a response to the DPRK's wrongdoing, rather than a new containment or blockade policy. It is essential not to stimulate the DPRK to take military action and thus lead to a more serious confrontation or conflict. 

The last reason China voted in favor of the new resolution is to bring the nuclear issue back to the table for dialogue and negotiation.

Although China is not at the crux of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, it has always actively explored ideas and approaches to resolve the problem with all parties involved in an objective and fair way.

China has repeatedly stressed that relevant parties should not give up efforts to resume talks, for the sake of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. It hopes that all the parties will return to the negotiating table because negotiation is the best way to solve the problem. 

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