BEIJING -- China voiced opposition to the new sanctions imposed by the United States on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday.

"China has always opposed any unilateral sanctions by any country," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing.

Lu said under the sensitive and complex situation of the Korean Peninsula, China opposes any moves that may further escalate the tensions.

Moreover, China has "repeatedly stressed during its contact with a certain country that unilateral sanctions imposed by any country should not affect or undermine China's legitimate interests," Lu added.

U.S. President Barack Obama issued an executive order imposing new sanctions on the DPRK on Wednesday.

The White House said the "robust new sanctions" are part of its response to the DPRK's Jan. 6 nuclear test and Feb. 7 ballistic missile launch.

The executive order blocks certain transactions on property belonging to the DPRK government and to the Workers' Party of Korea.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Wednesday also announced new sanctions on DPRK following Obama's executive order. The sanctions are aimed at 17 DPRK government officials and organizations.

It also identified "20 vessels as blocked property."

The new sanctions target DPRK's energy, mining, financial services and transportation sectors, prohibit exports of goods, services, technology and new investment in the country.