The UN General Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution to condemn North Korea's "ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights." The resolution also urged the Security Council to consider transferring the situation in North Korea to the International Criminal Court.

The resolution received 119 votes in favor, 19 against, and 48 abstentions. China, Russia, Cuba and Syria voted against it.

China's vote does not mean we endorse the human rights situation in North Korea. The vote is based on China's principle of no interference in other countries' internal affairs.

The different votes are not just a result of different values, but also made out of diplomatic concerns. More than 40 countries chose to abstain. It further indicates the complexity of international politics.

Some people in China expressed different ideas on China's vote against the resolution. They wished China would join the international camp condemning North Korea. These people are apparently influenced by unfavorable reports about the country in the international media.

The abrupt canceling of a North Korean girl band's planned show in Beijing has also created some sentiments among the Chinese people.

North Korea should be aware of the fact that the Chinese government made the vote under certain domestic pressures. It should also be grateful.

It is inevitable that sentiments are aroused over China-North Korea ties now and then. But the Chinese government must keep a sober mind when dealing with diplomatic relations with North Korea. North Korean authorities should also strive to provide a positive environment, so that the Chinese public can better appreciate the country.

Although forceful orders from outside are not acceptable, a certain degree of external pressure is not necessarily a bad thing. This is what China has learned in the past decades. China has adopted quite a few human rights concepts from the West. Today many of these concepts have become an integral part of Chinese society.

Of course, the process is full of conflicts. China has upheld its own political system, without reshaping it in the way the West hoped. This has ensured China's stability. The country is undergoing profound reforms without falling into an abyss of disorder.

China has been resisting Western pressures, but at the same time absorbing what is useful. During the process of absortion, we have not fallen under the West's ideological control.

The process is unique, which is a result of China's willingness to open up but walk its own way. History will prove such uniqueness led to China's success.