China warns North Korea against further raising tensionsFebruary 5, 2016 - 12:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - China has told North Korea it does not want to see anything happen that could further raise tensions, China's foreign minister was quoted as saying on Friday, February 5 after Pyongyang announced plans to launch a satellite soon, Reuters reports. North Korea has said it has a sovereign right to pursue a space program, although the United States and other governments suspect such rocket launches are actually missile tests and have called for Pyongyang to abandon the launch plans. Tension had already risen in East Asia last month after North Korea's fourth nuclear test, this time of what it said was a hydrogen bomb. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it was natural that Beijing had sent its special envoy for the nuclear issue, Wu Dawei, to North Korea in what he described as "a serious situation". He said China needed contacts "with all parties", mentioning the United States, South Korea and Russia. "At the same time, we also need to have necessary contacts with the North Korea side, to listen to their opinions," Wang told Hong Kong's Phoenix Television in London after Wu had returned from North Korea. "Of course, an important point is to express China's clear position to North Korea. We don't want to see anything happen that could cause further tensions," he said. "We hope all sides, including North Korea, can meet each other halfway, and should work hard together to push the North Korean nuclear issue onto the track of a negotiated resolution." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive” At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments. OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |