North Korea is facing sanctions for launching another rocket. (Photo : Getty Images)
After the recent nuclear test and rocket launch made by Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, Washington urged Beijing to put more pressure on its neighbor and ally, Reuters reported, citing a senior U.S. official's statement on Monday.
According to the official, China is in "unique position" to compel the country "to abandon its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs."
The U.N. diplomat has sought to make a new sanction on North Korea.
"It's clear to me that our Chinese friends have indicated that the U.N. Security Council's response will include sanctions and does need to go beyond previous resolutions," the official stated.
"The key of course is what exactly are the specific actions that we are going to take together and that's the focus of our efforts right now. We have made clear that China can do more and needs to do more," he added.
Since North Korea's Jan. 6 nuclear test, Washington has been pushing for hash measures while Beijing seeks dialogue.
The official said that both parties are keeping in touch, discussing ways on how to respond to North Korea. U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Friday, a day ahead of Pyonyang's long-range rocket launch.
Western officials believe that the launch served as a test of ballistic missile technology.
The U.N. Security Council condemned the event and vowed to take action. In this light, Washington also promised that the body will impose "serious consequences" on North Korea immediately.
For the senior official, the commitment came from the urgency "to demonstrate very clearly again that there are consequences to these actions and the international community is prepared to take practical steps to restrict North Korea's ability to fund these programs."
Earlier, the U.S. has also engaged with South Korea, partaking in formal discussions on the possible deployment of advanced missile defense system. The strategy was objected by China, noting that such move could "undermine its strategic deterrent," the report said.
Meanwhile, the official also told China that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) of the U.S. is not aimed at China; rather it is "a defensive system designed specifically to counter the threat from North Korea."
