Ministry’s call to halt military exercises
Print Edition
CHINA yesterday renewed its call for the United States and South Korea to suspend joint military drills as the two nations began annual war games that have infuriated North Korea.
“The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is highly sensitive and fragile, which requires the directly concerned parties including South Korea and US to make joint efforts to ease the tensions,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
China has called for a resumption of long-dormant six-nation talks to peacefully resolve the Korean crisis.
But its proposal for North Korea to suspend its arms programs in return for the US to halt military drills in the region has been ignored.
“We don’t think the joint exercise will be conducive to easing the current tensions. And we urge relevant parties to (seriously consider) the suspension-for-suspension proposal,” Hua told a regular press briefing.
Tens of thousands of South Korean and US troops are taking part in the “Ulchi Freedom Guardian” joint drills, a largely computer-simulated exercise that runs for two weeks.
Around 17,500 US troops will take part in the drills — fewer than last year.
Asked to comment on the cutback, Hua said China had “noted the reduction of the US forces,” but reiterated that military exercises would not help to reduce tensions.
The annual drills are viewed by North Korea as a highly provocative rehearsal for invasion, and it always meets them with threats of strong military counteraction.
Only weeks ago it said it was considering firing missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam.
Pyongyang tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles last month that appeared to bring much of the US within range.
That sparked a warning from US President Donald Trump that Washington could rain “fire and fury” on North Korea.
Kim Jong Un last week delayed the Guam strike plan, but warned it could go ahead depending on Washington’s next move.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
