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                    US, China Agree on North Korea Sanctions

   by VOA News

   The United States and China have agreed on a United Nations resolution
   that would impose tougher sanctions on North Korea in retribution for
   its latest nuclear test and rocket launch at the beginning of this
   year.

   U.N. diplomats told reporters about the new sanctions agreement
   Wednesday, a day before the U.N. Security Council is set to hold closed
   consultations on the issue. The U.S.-China agreement is expected to be
   discussed during those talks.

   The announcement came as China's foreign minister Wang Yi visits
   Washington, where he met Tuesday with Secretary of State John Kerry and
   Wednesday with National Security Adviser Susan Rice.

   National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said Rice and Wang were
   in agreement on a "strong and united" response to the North Korean
   tests, including a Security Council resolution that goes beyond
   previous resolutions.

   ''

   China has criticized North Korea's nuclear and missile tests, but in
   the past it has been reluctant for tougher punitive measures, for fear
   that they may lead to the collapse of Pyongyang's regime and a flood of
   refugees across the border.

   Also Wednesday, President Barack Obama signed legislation imposing new
   U.S. sanctions against North Korea in response to Pyongyang's nuclear
   and missile tests.

   The bill calls for imposing mandatory sanctions on anyone assisting
   Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile programs, cyber-attacks and
   human rights abuses.

   The expanded sanctions are designed to deny North Korea the money it
   needs to develop miniaturized nuclear warheads and the long-range
   missiles needed to deliver them.

   The measure also authorizes $50 million over five years to transmit
   radio broadcasts into North Korea and support humanitarian assistance
   programs.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-china-agree-on-north-korea-sanctions/3207294.html