Beijing on Thursday announced that it opposed the recent sanctions targeted at North Korea’s leader issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Speaking at a regular press conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said the Chinese government did not support the human rights focused sanctions.

“(Beijing) opposes public pressurization, confrontation, one country’s wilful resort to unilateral sanction on another country based on its domestic law and damage to the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of another country,” Lei said.

The move from Washington drew an even harsher rebuke from Pyongyang, who issued a statement heavy on tough rhetoric.

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