China calls for 'restraint' after N. Korea missile test

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, Sunday. / AP-Yonhap

By Park Si-soo

China called for “restraint” and for no country to do anything that might increase tension on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea's latest missile test on Sunday.

“All relevant parties should exercise restraint and refrain from further aggravating tensions in the region,” China's foreign ministry said in a statement. “Relevant (U.N.) Security Council resolutions have clear rules about North Korea using ballistic missile technology to carry out launches. China opposes relevant launch activities by North Korea that are contrary to Security Council resolutions.”

The test coincided with the opening of the Silk Road summit, a global trade infrastructure project China has prepared to cement its growing leadership in the region.

Leaders from 29 countries, mostly in Asia, are attending the two-day summit in Beijing. A North Korean delegation was expected to attend.

China, the isolated North's sole major ally and economic lifeline, has been reluctant to exert pressure to upset the status quo in Pyongyang and risk an influx of refugees from its neighbor.

The missile test “is absolutely an embarrassment to Beijing but it also shouldn't be overstated,” Peking University economics professor Christopher Balding, was quoted as saying in an AFP news agency report.

He said the provocation “will not overshadow (the summit) in an enormous way but it will absolutely continue to raise U.S. frustrations with Beijing,” adding that Washington was “frustrated” that North Korea was invited to the summit.

The summit seeks to link China with Africa, Asia and Europe through an enormous network of ports, railways, roads and industrial parks.

The initiative spans 65 countries representing 60 percent of the world population and around a third of global gross domestic product.

The China Development Bank has earmarked $890 billion for about 900 projects.