In response to the latest incident in which North Korea fired missiles over Japan, Australian politicians and outsiders unanimously condemned the "illegal, provocative and threatening" act and said Australia was ready to support Japan "at any time."
Foreign Minister Julie Bi Xiaopu (Julie Bishop) said Australia was keeping an eye on rising tensions following Kim Jong-un`s succession to North Korea.
Bi Xiaopu said China was persuading Pyongyang to stop its nuclear weapons program, playing a "significant role" and adding to the toughest sanctions imposed on the North Korean regime.
China has agreed to the UN Security Council`s decision to ban exports of coal and seafood to North Korea and to stop issuing work visas to North Korean nationals.
This series of measures is expected to produce a serious economic blow to North Korea.
Bi Xiaopu said: "China is actively upholding this sanctions resolution. China is also one of the main destinations of North Korean labor. "
"China has confirmed that it will not issue any new work visas to North Korean workers, which will have a significant economic impact on North Korea. This is exactly what we want to see, putting enough pressure on the North Korean regime to reassess the risks of its ongoing illegal actions. "
Malcolm Turnbull called on China to do more.
"China has to overcome the pressure," he told Adelaide`s radio station 5AA. China has the greatest economic leverage, and they have the ability to put North Korea back on track without any military action. "
Prime Minister Turnbull was briefed on the incident earlier Tuesday.
The Cabinet and National Security Council will meet later today to discuss North Korea.
Labour Foreign Affairs spokesman Huang Yingxian (Penny Wong) spoke on Radio ABC about the missile launch.
"the international community should continue to make its position clear to North Korea in a consistent manner, noting that these acts are provocative and illegal," she said. In particular, we need to ensure that the United States and China remain United on this issue and continue to press North Korea under the UN sanctions program. "
"if what you are saying is true, then it is yet another highly provocative illegal action by North Korea, and it is once again a threat to regional peace and stability and even global peace and stability."
