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China says ‘unable to stop’ N. Korea’s planned rocket launch

February 3, 2016

FILE – In this July 26, 2013 file photo, North Korean soldiers tour near model versions of the Unha 3 space launch vehicle which successfully delivered North Korea’s first satellite into Earth orbit, and the Unha 9, right, which would carry a lunar orbiter, on display at an annual flower show held in honor of national founder Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea’s announcement of plans to launch a long-range rocket during a visit to Pyongyang by a top Chinese envoy will likely be seen as yet another sign of gross disrespect toward its chief ally. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File)

BEIJING (Yonhap) — China on Wednesday expressed “serious concern” over North Korea’s plan to launch a long-range rocket this month, but admitted that it can’t prevent Pyongyang from going ahead with the planned launch.

China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang made the remarks a day after North Korea notified U.N. agencies on Tuesday of its plan to launch a long-range rocket carrying what it calls an “earth observation satellite” sometime between Feb. 8 and 25.

“We express our serious concern about that,” Lu told reporters, when asked about North Korea’s planned rocket launch.

“We believe that North Korea has the right for the peaceful use of space, but at the moment, the relevant right should be subject for restrictions by U.N. Security Council resolutions,” Lu said.

Lu said China “hopes” that North Korea can exercise restraint, but acknowledged that Beijing can’t force Pyongyang to drop its provocations.

“We don’t want to see any escalation of tensions. But, if the relevant country insists on doing so, we are not able to stop them,” Lu said, without directly mentioning North Korea by name.

China’s chief nuclear envoy Wu Dawei left for Pyongyang on Tuesday, but Lu declined to give details of Wu’s visit, including how long he would stay there.