The United States says China will continue to support the imposition of sanctions on North Korea.

State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid told reporters Tuesday that China has supported U.N. sanctions that are in place against the North, adding that he doesn’t expect that to change.

He made the remark after being asked what the U.S. position would be if China was found to have played a role in reported investment projects in North Korea.

A source familiar with North Korean affairs said Tuesday that the North is carrying out such negotiations with China through the Taepung International Investment Group for investment projects worth no less than ten billion U.S. dollars.

Duguid said that he has no information on the reported investment plans.

Duguid also emphasized that the North’s nuclear program and the status of ordinary North Koreans are two separate issues.