- Title: China opposes US proposal of arms embargo on South Sudan
- Date: 18th November 2016
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (NOVEMBER 18, 2016) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN GENG SHUANG WALKING IN FOR REGULAR BRIEFING MEDIA SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, GENG SHUANG, SAYING: "China consistently does not agree with the use of or threat of sanctions in an international relationship. This position is very clear and known to all. On the issue of South Sudan, the United Nation's relevant actions should be helpful to send the right signal, push for both sides in the South Sudan conflict to meet halfway and continue to fully implement the peace deal, to really move the situation in South Sudan towards stability rather than further complicating matters." BRIEFING IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR OF CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY CHINESE NATIONAL FLAG FLYING
- Embargoed: 3rd December 2016 10:20
- Keywords: china south sudan United States arms embargo United Nations Security council
- Location: BEIJING, CHINA
- City: BEIJING, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00158Z1ETJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: China's Foreign Ministry said on Friday (November 18) that it disapproves of the use of or threat of sanctions as a response to a U.S. proposal to the United Nations Security Council of arms embargo on South Sudan.
The United States circulated on Thursday (November 17) to the 15-member council a draft resolution to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan and further targeted sanctions amid warnings by a senior U.N. official of possible genocide.
"China consistently does not agree with the use of or threat of sanctions in international relationship. This position is very clear and known to all. On the issue of South Sudan, the United Nation's relevant actions should be helpful to send the right signal, push for both sides in the South Sudan conflict to meet halfway and continue to fully implement the peace deal, to really move the situation in South Sudan towards stability rather than further complicating matters," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang at a regular press briefing.
Political rivalry between South Sudan's President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and his former deputy Riek Machar, a Nuer, led to a civil war in 2013 that has often followed ethnic lines. The pair signed a shaky peace deal last year, but fighting has continued and Machar fled the country in July.
The U.N. Security Council has long-threatened to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan, but veto powers Russia and China are skeptical whether such a move would make a difference as the country is already awash with weapons.
The Security Council set up a targeted sanctions regime for South Sudan in March 2015 and has blacklisted six generals - three from each side of the conflict - by subjecting them to an asset freeze and travel ban. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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