Press Release

Sunday, 5 April 2009

On April 5, 2009, the United Nations Security Council held informal consultations on the issue of the DPRK's satellite launch (Non-proliferation / Democratic People's Republic of Korea). Ambassador Zhang Yesui, Permanent Representative of China to the UN, made a statement to explain China's position on the satellite launch.

Ambassador Zhang said that China had noted the announcement by the DPRK on its launch of an experimental communications satellite, and had taken note of the concerns expressed by relevant countries over the issue. "We hope that parties concerned will keep calm, show restraint, and refrain from any action that may lead to further escalation of the situation."

Ambassador Zhang said that it served the common interests of the international community to continue to promote the Six-Party Talks, to achieve denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and to maintain peace and stability on the Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. The reaction of the Security Council should be cautious and proportionate, and should not lead to any adverse impact on peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia or on the process of the Six-Party Talks.

According to media reports, the DPRK launched the experimental communications satellite "Kwangmyongsong No. 2", delivered by "Unha-2 SLV" at 11:30 a.m. on April 5 DPRK local time. Prior to the satellite launch, the DPRK acceded to the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies and the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, and made briefings to the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization respectively.