BEIJING (AP) — Despite China’s concerns, a senior North Korean nuclear negotiator reiterated his government’s position on a planned long-range rocket launch after holding talks Monday with his counterpart in Beijing.

Ri Yong Ho said the launch of the satellite is separate from recent talks with the United States and North Korea over food aid. The United States promised the aid in exchange for a suspension of North Korea’s nuclear programmes and has warned that the launch could jeopardise that agreement.

“The launching of the satellite is part of our right to develop space programmes,” Ri said outside a government guesthouse in Beijing. He warned that the North would respond to any threats on its sovereignty.

“Regarding the peaceful purpose of the satellite launching, if others are practicing double standards or inappropriately interfere with our sovereign rights, we will be forced to react to it. But we will try our best for these things not to happen,” he said.

The U.S., Japan, Britain and others have urged North Korea to cancel the planned launch, calling it a threat to diplomatic efforts and warning that it would violate a U.N. ban on nuclear and missile activity because the same rocket technology can be used for long-range missiles.

China, North Korea’s main political and economic ally, expressed rare concern Saturday about the planned launch and called on all parties to exercise restraint. Ri said he met with his Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei in Beijing but did not give details about their talks.