China promises to ‘deal seriously’ with sanctions violators
China’s government promised Friday to “deal seriously” with violators of U. N. sanctions on North Korea after a South Korean newspaper said Chinese-owned ships registered abroad regularly delivered oil.
Beijing has no information about operations of ships registered in other countries, said a foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang.
The newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported this week Chinese-owned vessels flying the flags of Panama, Belize and other countries were suspected of improperly trading with North Korea.
South Korean officials have seized two ships on suspicion of violating U. N. sanctions imposed to discourage Pyongyang from pursuing nuclear and missile technology.
“If it is confirmed through investigation there are violations of Security Council resolutions, China will deal seriously with them in accordance with laws and regulations,” Geng said at a regular news briefing.
Beijing, which accounts for most of the North’s trade and energy supplies, was Pyongyang’s diplomatic protector for decades but has supported the latest U.
