China denounces N Korea for H-bomb test; to back sanctions

China today strongly condemned its close-ally North Korea's claim of carrying out its first hydrogen bomb test saying it "firmly opposes" the move and will honour its international obligations on sanctions on the reclusive nation.
"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) once again carried out the nuclear test irrespective of the international community's opposition. The Chinese government firmly opposes that," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here.
"On the sanctions, China will honour its international obligations and work with the international community to realise the goal of the denuclearisation of the (Korean) peninsula and make our due contributions," Hua said.

She said Beijing plans to summon North Korean Ambassador here to lodge a diplomatic protest over the test, which follows three earlier nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013.
"To realise denuclearisation of the peninsula, prevent nuclear proliferation and safeguard peace and stability of north East Asia is China's firm position," she said.
"We strongly urge the DPRK side to strongly commit to its de-nuclearisation commitment and stop taking actions that make the situation worse," she said.

China will push forward the denuclearisation and remain committed to resolve the nuclear issue within the framework of six party talks involving China, the US, North and South Korea, Japan, and Russia, she said.

Hua said that China, which share borders with North Korea, has stepped up environmental monitoring following the test and so far tests showed that the gama rays dosage is within the normal range.
Hua also said that China is trying to determine whether it is a nuclear or a hydrogen bomb test.
"China has noted DPRK statement. We will make our assessment on that. Our position is clear. We oppose their test. We hope they stick to their commitment to denuclearisation and stop taking similar actions."
Refuting criticism that the six party talks which China pushed firmly in the past for denuclearisation, Hu said, "Facts have proven that the six party talks is the only practical way to resolve the relevant issue. We are committed to resolve the nuclear issue of the peninsula within the frame work of six party talks."

China, North Korea relations mellowed down after the present leader Kim Jong-un came to power in 2011 following the death of his father Kim Jong II.
The test, just two days ahead of leader Kim's birthday, was initially detected by international seismology monitors as a 5.1-magnitude tremor next to North Korea's main nuclear test site.
Kim had last week suggested that North Korea has developed a hydrogen bomb, but the claim was questioned by the international experts.