China: Korean peninsula is not a computer game

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday stressed that the Korean Peninsula should not be treated like a computer game, Reuters reported.

Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the remarks when asked at a briefing about Japan’s push to slap new sanctions on North Korea. 

Hua also expressed regret that sanctions are sought instead of diplomatic dialogue, according to the news service. 

{mosads}North Korea launched a missile over northern Japan on Monday, the latest in a series of tests that have increased fears about Pyongyang’s intent to provoke a conflict.

The United Nations Security Council condemned North Korea’s latest test, calling on Pyongyang to take immediate action to de-escalate tensions in the region.

“The Security Council, resolute in its commitment to a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, emphasizes the vital importance of immediate, concrete actions by the [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] to reduce tensions in the Korean Peninsula and beyond,” the council said in a statement following an emergency meeting, according to the The Associated Press. 

The statement doesn’t call for any new sanctions against North Korea, the AP noted.

Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., hinted earlier this week that North Korea’s latest action should be met with a “serious” retaliatory response.

“Enough is enough,” she said.

Tensions have flared between the U.S. and North Korea in recent months, with the two countries trading threats amid a series of missile tests conducted by Pyongyang. The most recent launch comes on the heels of three short-range missile tests conducted by North Korea Friday.

President Trump on Tuesday said that “all options” are on the table when it comes to dealing with North Korea.