China opposes Myanmar sanctions

BEIJING, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- China, claiming the Myanmar situation is improving, said it opposes sanctions against its military-ruled southern neighbor.

“Any move by the United Nations Security Council should be prudent and responsible and be conducive to the mediation efforts of the U.N. secretary-general and conducive to achieving stability, reconciliation, democracy and the development of Myanmar," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said, Xinhua news agency reported.

Liu said China attributes the calming situation in Myanmar to the common efforts of the international community and all sides and it hopes the situation would move in a positive direction, the report said.

Weeks of protests over fuel price hikes led by Buddhist monks in Myanmar, formerly called Burma, were brutally put down by the military junta despite strong international condemnation. China continues to be criticized for failing to use its influence gained through trade relations to restrain the Myanmarese junta.

“China hopes all relevant sides of Myanmar will maintain restraint and achieve reconciliation, democracy and development and improve the living standards of the people by peaceful means,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman was quoted as saying.