Obama's unilateral sanctions opposed

Foreign Ministry calls for avoiding 'any move' on the DPRK issue that would increase tension

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea launches a long range rocket launched into the air in this file still image taken from KRT video footage, released by Yonhap on February 7, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Beijing has said any unilateral sanctions must not hurt China's interests after Washington imposed additional sanctions on Pyongyang because of its recent nuclear test and rocket launch.

China always opposes any unilateral sanctions and "any move to increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula is opposed", Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in Beijing on Thursday.

US President Barack Obama imposed the new sanctions on Wednesday.

His executive order freezes any property in the United States of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and prohibits exports of goods from the US to the DPRK, Reuters reported.

"All the relevant parties, it is hoped, will exercise restraint, remain calm and avoid any provocative words or actions," Lu added.

The Republic of Korea Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the country's top envoy for the stalled Six-Party Talks will visit China on Friday to discuss issues regarding the DPRK.

Meanwhile, the ROK and the US are conducting joint military drills, code-named Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, from March 7 until April 30, reported to be the largest ever.

Pyongyang said on Wednesday that Washington and Seoul are pushing the situation to the point of explosion through the provocation posed by the drills.