New York, February 27, 2015 (SSNA) — Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Liu Jieyi on Friday questioned reasons behind the US proposed sanctions against South Sudan, arguing that it is in the best interest of the UN Security Council to support the ongoing peace talks.
Lieyi appeared to have not been convinced by the language of the anticipated sanctions and wondered if imposing penalties when South Sudan’s warring factions are negotiating a peace deal in Ethiopia is a good idea.
“The question arises as to what is the best way to facilitate (the political) process – whether at this moment, when the two sides are negotiating for a solution, you talk about imposing sanctions,” Jieyi told reporters.
"Sanctions are a punitive thing to do … it intends to punish," he added.
The Chinese Ambassador also asserted that there is no logic to support the US proposed sanctions.
“Frankly I don’t see the logic behind this,” Jieyi wondered.
The United States on Tuesday circulated a draft resolution to the UN Security Council — the proposal calls for the establishment of a panel of experts and committee who then can oversee the sanctions if the Council approves the plan.
China is the biggest investor in South Sudan’s oil sector and worries that the raging civil war could harm its investment.