By CGTN's Su Yuting

China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday again called for all sides to remain calm and exercise restraint, after the DPRK conducted its first successful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on Tuesday.

Response to comments by John Bolton

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang was asked about comments by former US ambassador to the UN John Bolton, who wrote an article on the ICBM launch arguing the US needs to take military measures as diplomatic means and economic sanctions have failed over the past 25 years.

“Mr Bolton's comments come as no surprise... This has always been his style," Geng said. "But I think we should pay more attention to the attitude of the current US ambassador to the UN. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council about DPRK's missile test, Ms Haley said the US will defend its security and that of its allies, but not be inclined to take military action.”

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang answers questions at a regular press conference on July 6, 2017. /MOFA Photo

China, Russia, South Korea seek to avoid military action

The foreign ministries from China and Russia have issued a joint statement on the Korean Peninsula issue, pointing out that military means should not become an option for resolving this issue. 

Geng also noted: “The ROK President Moon Jae-in emphasized that another war on the Korean Peninsula must be avoided, and we should seek dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the issue."

He added: "Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said any attempt to seek excuses for military action is unacceptable." All the remarks show that seeking denuclearization and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is the common goal of all relevant parties and is in accord with the mutual interests of all sides, Geng said.

July 4, 2017 (released by the DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency on July 5, 2017): The successful test-fire of the intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 at an undisclosed location. /VCG Photo

DPRK not an excuse for US sanctions on Chinese bank

US ambassador Haley also said China risks its trade with the US if Beijing's trade with the DRPK violates UN sanctions. 

Geng Shuang reiterated China’s position that: “As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has always implemented the DPRK-related resolutions in a comprehensive and earnest manner. At the same time, China opposes any country imposing 'long-arm jurisdiction' solely based on its own domestic laws, and this position has been clear and consistent.”

China's Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao also warned the US not to use the DPRK as an excuse to levy sanctions against China's financial institutions, when speaking ahead of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on Thursday.