Denying the US' accusations that it was not properly enforcing the latest UN-backed sanctions on North Korea, Beijing on Saturday said it has instructed all companies, especially those involved in the coal business, to follow the UN Security Council resolution in dealing with Pyongyang.

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The UN imposed new sanctions on North Korea last month by slashing its annual coal exports to China by US$700 million effective on 2017 in a bid to prevent its leader, Kim Jong-un, from having access to hard currency that could be used to fund its nuclear weapons program.

The sanctions, adopted unanimously by the 15-member Council after three months of deliberation, were imposed after Pyongyang carried out its fifth and largest missile test on September 9.

'Unnecessary Losses'

In a statement on its website, China's commerce ministry said that pertinent companies should pay close attention to the UN sanctions and restrictions to "avoid unnecessary losses."

"Understand the United Nations circular about North Korean coal exports, make preparations in advance and rationally arrange imports to avoid unnecessary losses," it said.

Aside from coal, the US-drafted resolution also bans companies from purchasing North Korean copper, nickel, silver, and zinc exports.

Target

The US has repeatedly stated that China is not properly enforcing the UN sanctions on North Korea, but Beijing strongly denies this.

Despite its condemnation of Pyongyang's repeated nuclear tests, Beijing remains North Korea's most important trade partner and diplomatic backer.

The commerce ministry said China has always enforced the UN sanctions to the letter and the same strict imposition of the sanctions would be made with the new resolution.

China recently expressed disappointment over the US, Japan, and South Korea's sole reliance on Beijing to rein in Pyongyang and force it to give up its nuclear weapons saying it could not do it alone.

An editorial published in the communist-backed newspaper, Global Times said that all parties should assume their respective responsibilities and not look to China alone to solve the Korean Peninsula crisis.,

TagsUN sanctions, North Korea, Kim Jong Un, coal exports, UN Security Council, china, US