China fed up with North Korea, praises US on nuclear issue

by Itunuoluwa Adebo

China might be getting fed up with continued nuclear bluster from long-time ally North Korea and tilting toward the United States.

Just after North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister said Pyongyang woukd test missiles weekly and use nuclear weapons if threatened, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Beijing was “gravely concerned” about North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile activities.

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In the same press conference, spokesman Lu Kang praised recent US statements on the North Korean issue. “American officials did make some positive and constructive remarks, such as using whatever peaceful means possible to resolve the (Korean) Peninsula nuclear issue. This represents a general direction that we believe is correct and should be adhered to,” Lu said.

That direction was not evident from North Korean leadership, as state-run TV highlighted a propaganda video showing missile strikes leaving the US in flames. “If the United States is reckless enough to use military means, it would mean from that very day an all-out war,” Han said.

Statements of that vein do not help the situation, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

“China firmly opposes any words or actions that would escalate rivalry and tension,” Lu said.

US President Donald Trump has been pressing China to rein in North Korea, suggesting that doing so could ease US China relations over trade and other issues.

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Experts point out that China also wants to prevent North Korea from becoming a full-fledged nuclear power, and certainly wants to prevent a war on its southern border that could send millions of refugees flooding into China and potentially risk bringing a US military presence to China’s borders.

Earlier this year, China called on the US and North Korea to give up something to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Tags: China, Military, North Korea, south korea

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