China is resisting US-led efforts to order new sanctions against North Korea over its rocket launch and the UN Security Council could take weeks to decide a formal move, diplomats said.
Gary Locke, US ambassador to Beijing, said Monday that China and the United States are deeply divided over the best way to tackle North Korea's flouting of Security Council resolutions on using ballistic technology.
The 15-member Security Council, including China, condemned the rocket launch within hours after it took place Wednesday. Beijing has since signaled, however, that it will not add new sanctions to measures ordered after the North staged nuclear weapon tests in 2006 and 2009.
"There has been no serious discussion of any kind of resolution on North Korea," said one council diplomat. "With China in their current mood, it will take weeks to get anything done and there is no guarantee that they will agree new measures," added a second envoy. Both spoke on condition of anonymity.
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