Xi backs efforts for NK dialogue
Print Edition
PRESIDENT Xi Jinping yesterday urged a peaceful resolution to tensions over North Korea, telling his South Korean counterpart that China is committed to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he was considering a “pretty severe” response to North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile test.
Meeting South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in ahead of a G20 summit in the northern German port city of Hamburg, Xi said China would like to join South Korea in bringing bilateral ties back to the track of healthy development.
The two geographically close nations, share interconnected cultures and notable complementary advantages, Xi said, adding that the two sides had realized a leapfrog development in their relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 25 years ago, which benefited the two peoples greatly and contributed to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
“For a period of time, China-South Korea relations have been facing difficulties, and we do not want to see that,” he said. It is the common responsibility of the two sides to maintain and develop bilateral ties, he added.
Xi urged Seoul to take seriously China’s rightful concerns and handle relevant issues properly so as to clear the obstacles for the development of bilateral ties.
Moon said South Korea highly values its relationship with China, adding that the two countries have a long history of exchanges, share broad common interests, and have become important partners for cooperation. He said he fully understood China’s relevant concerns and intends to have in-depth communication with the Chinese side.
Xi said China supports the new South Korean government’s efforts to restart contact and dialogue with North Korea.
Moon said his country agrees the issue should be fixed via dialogue and consultation, and he was ready to work closely with China to realize denuclearization and safeguard regional peace and stability.
Tuesday’s launch marked a milestone in Pyongyang’s decades-long drive to threaten the US with a nuclear strike, posing a thorny policy challenge for Trump.
“I call on all nations to confront this global threat and publicly demonstrate to North Korea that there are consequences for their very, very bad behavior,” Trump said during a visit to Warsaw.
The United States is pushing for tougher sanctions following North Korea’s ICBM test but has also warned it is ready to use force if necessary.
“I have pretty severe things that we’re thinking about,” Trump said, adding: “That doesn’t mean that we’ll do them.”
China responded with a call for more moderate language.
“We also call on relevant parties to stay calm, exercise restraint, refrain from words and deeds that may heighten tensions,” foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.
Trump had dismissed the idea of North Korea having a working ICBM, vowing it “won’t happen,” but experts say the new missile could reach Alaska or further.
The test prompted the US and ally South Korea to stage a joint missile drill aimed at countering North Korea’s threats, after Moon called for a response beyond “just words.”
Beijing says it has made “relentless efforts” to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions in line with UN economic sanctions.
China decided to stop buying North Korean coal in February and total imports have steadily dropped every month from US$207 million in January to US$99 million in April.
Geng defended China’s dealings with North Korea, insisting Beijing has upheld UN sanction resolutions “in a comprehensive and earnest manner.”
But, he added, sanctions “should not harm the livelihood and normal humanitarian need” of North Korea.
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