News / Foreign Policy

White House expects China to support North Korea sanctions

Tuesday, 16 February 2016 12:12 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 16 February 2016 12:13 AM ]

US National Security Adviser Susan Rice speaks at George Washington University in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2015. (AFP)

US National Security Adviser Susan Rice says Washington expects China to support new sanctions on North Korea over its rocket launches and nuclear tests.

"I think it unlikely that China wants to be seen by the international community as the protector of North Korea given its recent outrageous behavior," Rice told reporters at a briefing on Monday.

"Given that, I expect that they will indeed come on board with significant new sanctions and we're working toward that end," Rice said.

On February 7, North Korea successfully launched a long-range rocket, saying that it carried a satellite into space. However, the West and some regional countries say such launches by North Korea are in fact ballistic missile tests.

The US House of Representatives passed a legislation on Friday, which would impose tougher sanctions on any individual or entity that imports goods or technology or training pertaining to weapons of mass destruction into North Korea or anyone who deliberately engages in human rights abuses.

On February 9, the Pentagon said it was planning to deploy an advanced missile system to South Korea “as quickly as possible” to counter the growing threat of Pyongyang’s weapons capabilities.

The Pentagon confirmed it would start formal talks with Seoul on placing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) on North Korea's doorstep.

THAAD is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill approach.

North Korea says it is boosting defense capabilities in the face of enemy threats. The country is irked by joint military maneuvers by South Korea and the US and views them as a direct threat against its security.

The country declared itself a nuclear power in 2005 and carried out several nuclear weapon tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013. It also conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, triggering condemnation from the international community.

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