Beijing has expressed opposition to Washington’s new punitive measure against Pyongyang for its human rights violations.

In a regular press briefing on Thursday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that China has maintained its stance consistently that human rights issues should be handled through constructive dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

He then asserted that China opposes a country imposing a unilateral sanction on another based on its domestic law.

The spokesman added that due to the complex and sensitive situation on the Korean Peninsula, relevant parties should avoid taking provocative actions that may fuel the tension, and do more to help realize peace and stability of the Peninsula.

His words were a response to the U.S. Treasury Department’s imposition of sanction on 15 North Korean individuals and eight entities on Wednesday, including North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, for human rights abuses.