The US State Department slammed China on Tuesday, accusing it of blatant violations of the United Nations sanctions on North Korea.
In his remarks at an event hosted by a think tank, Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Korea Alex Wong said Beijing was working to torpedo the international restrictions aimed at forcing Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions.
According to Wong, as cited by Reuters, the US spotted at least 555 instances of sanctioned goods smuggling between China and North Korea since December 2019, with Beijing doing little to stop those.
He also accused China of hosting at least two dozen North Korean officials linked with its banks or arms programs, as well as some 20,000 workers.
“They are seeking to revive trade links and revenue transfers to the North, thereby ensuring Chinese reach into the North’s economy,” he said.
China claims that it stands by the international sanctions regime, while calling for easing it in a bid to achieve a breakthrough in the denuclearization talks with Pyongyang.
Under President Donald Trump, the US made efforts to reach progress on the matter, with Trump personally meeting with North’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.
However, whatever progress was made appears to have been stalled as North Korea accused the US of breaking promises allegedly made during the meetings.
Source : Agencies
