ON WEDNESDAY, the 15-nation UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to impose harsh sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in response to its recent nuclear test and satellite launch. DPRK leader Kim Jong-un responded by ordering its nuclear weapons be ready for use at any time. Measures must be taken to address the political confrontation between the United States and the DPRK, and end the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula, said haiwainet.cn:

Despite strong opposition from the international community, Pyongyang conducted a fourth nuclear test two months ago. However, the tough UN sanctions, which broaden the scope of financial sanctions and the scope of the arms embargo, once again, point to the fact that developing nuclear weapons will not get the country anywhere near its diplomatic ambitions.

Notably, China and the US have very different stances on how the sanctions should be used to correct the DPRK's behavior, especially the DPRK's nuclear ambitions, and the UN's role in seeking a peaceful solution.