China refuses to back UN action in Myanmar

China has ruled out UN sanctions against Myanmar or any official condemnation of the ruling junta's use of force against pro-democracy protesters, Reuters reported. Responding to a US- and EU-backed request that the UN Security Council consider punitive measures and demand that the junta start talks with jailed oppositioin leader Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic minorities, China's UN Ambassador Wang Guangya said sanctions would be unhelpful. Although he expressed concern at events in Myanmar, Wang said the situation did not represent "a threat to international peace and security," which is the main mandate for UN action. An EU-US statement called on China, India and member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to use their influence to push the Myanmar government into negotiations to end days of violence. A number of fatalities have been reported and hundreds of monks have been beaten up and arrested.