Global Times | April 17, 2012 01:18

The UN Security Council issued a statement Monday strongly condemning North Korea for trying to launch a satellite last week. China voted for the decision.

The statement calls for stricter sanctions on North Korea. It also says that if North Korea continues satellite launches or nuclear tests, the Security Council will take further action.

China has taken a clear attitude in condemning Pyongyang. Some analysts take it as a result of North Korea neglecting China's discouragement on its satellite launch. This is also the first time that China has openly taken a tough attitude toward Pyongyang since the new leadership came into power.

It is necessary for China to take this stance. As a young leader, Jim Jong-un is still developing his knowledge about China. China's role in ensuring Pyongyang's stable power transition is positive. But China does not need to pacify the junior Kim. China supports the stability on the Korean Peninsula and the stability of the North. But Pyongyang is not the only thing on China's diplomatic agenda. It has widespread stakes to consider. If Pyongyang also cherishes the bilateral relationship, it should commit itself to expanding shared interests, not expanding conflicts.

There is a prevailing theory that China's North Korean policy has been abducted by Pyongyang and that it can now do as it wishes. China would thus only accept the consequences and protect the North in the international community. We hope Pyongyang hasn't been misled.

Pyongyang should treat China as a friend as China does it. It will pay the price if it really tries to abduct China's North Korea policy.

A friendly Sino-North Korea relationship undoubtedly contributes to maintaining the strategic space of China in Northeast Asia. But China will not change its nuclear nonproliferation policy to avoid any disharmony with North Korea. China's relations with some neighboring countries have seen delicate changes these years, but the general momentum remains.

China's prosperity and strength are crucial to Pyongyang's political stability. The North Korea needs to be fully aware of this. It is devoted to having nuclear weapons and strategic missiles, but the China factor in safeguarding its independence is just as important.

Chinese people respect Kim Jong-un and wish North Korea can chart a way that leads to development. It is also hoped the junior Kim respects China's situation on the North Korean nuclear issue. The two sides have complementing strategic interests.

We hope the North can learn something from this launch failure, not repeat radical actions of the past and damage the sincere feeling of the Chinese government and public has toward Pyongyang.