The United Nations Security Council's unanimous vote on Saturday is a necessary response to the missile tests North Korea launched on July 5.

The council decided to impose limited sanctions on North Korea and demand the suspension of its ballistic missile program.

According to the resolution, no UN members are allowed to sell materials or technology for missiles or weapons of mass destruction to North Korea, and they are prohibited from receiving missiles, banned weapons or technology from the country.

The Six-Party Talks are the forum that has been established to solve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and should be maintained to work towards this goal.

Security Council members went through a lot of hard bargaining in the past couple of days in order to respond appropriately to the event.

Wars and conflicts already tear apart this world, such as the new crisis between Israel and Lebanon. An inappropriate reaction from the UN Security Council to the North Korea's missile tests would be tantamount to pouring oil on the fire of this dispute. This is definitely not what the world wants.

The statement signed by the six parties at the last round of their talks in September 2005 should be honored. All the parties should create favorable conditions to return to the talks at an early date.

China had called for a responsible attitude from the council and has worked painstakingly and constructively in this regard. A responsible attitude means one that will not complicate or aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia.

China has always supported a "prudent and proper" response from the UN Security Council to prevent the escalation of tension. Even though the resolution is in place, diplomatic work should continue to ensure an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

A quagmire left from the Cold War, many of the issues on the Korean Peninsula need attention and efforts from the parties concerned, namely six at present North Korea, the Republic of Korea, China, the United States, Russia and Japan.

The action the UN has taken should be conducive to enhancing the solidarity of the Security Council, maintaining peace and stability in the region and working for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

The six countries should continue their diplomatic efforts in order to lift the Six-Party Talks out of the impasse.

(China Daily July 17, 2006)