As Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow the two issued a joint statement that called for a simultaneous freeze on North Korean nuclear and missile tests but also on military exercises by the US and South Korea.
Moscow – As Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow the two issued a joint statement that called for a simultaneous freeze on North Korean nuclear and missile tests but also on military exercises by the US and South Korea. China had earlier issued a two-track approach to North Korea of sanctions but also moves to ease up tensions, such as suspensions for suspensions, a position the Russians now also support. There appears to be a growing division between Chinese and Russian views on North Korea versus the United States. A recent visit of the new South Korean president Moon Jae-In to the US to meet with Trump showed him as mostly in agreement with the US. The joint statement spoke against the military presence of “non-regional powers” in the area and its buildup under what it called the pretext of countering the North Korean nuclear and missile programs. Both specifically opposed the THAAD anti-missile defense system the US is deploying in South Korea. Both countries see the systems as potentially being directed at them. The document says that the THAAD deployment “seriously damages strategic security interests of regional powers, including Russia and China’ and against peace and stability in the region.” The South Korean president has also expressed concerns about the system. The two urged the parties in conflict to sit down for talks, and to agree on principles that would include a refusal to use forces and to pledge to make the Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons. The statement also said that the North had “sensible concerns” that needed to be respected and that countries had an obligation to produce a “peaceful atmosphere of mutual trust” to help launch the talks. Actions of the US are drawing China and Russia closer together. The US recently Neither North Korea nor the United States are likely to agree to the program suggested by China and Russia even though on the surface it appears to be a sensible way out of the situation. The North Koreans appear to take the view that there own safety will come from developing defenses that even a nation as powerful as the US will not want to challenge. The US on the other hand appears ready to take action before such a situation comes into existence. President Trump’s response was rather dismissive as On Tuesday both Some experts, such as The joint document was published after the two leaders met on Tuesday in the Russian capital. The two also condemned the latest North Korean missile test as “unacceptable” but urged against “any statements or actions that could lead to an increase in tensions”. The joint declaration said: “The two sides propose that the DPRK (North Korea) as a voluntary political decision declares a moratorium on testing nuclear explosive devices and ballistic rocket launches, and the US and South Korea refrain from carrying out large-scale joint exercises. Parallel to this, the opposing sides should start negotiations and affirm general principles of their relations including the non-use of force, rejection of aggression and peaceful co-existence.” Putin also said that a comprehensive resolution of the problems of the Korean peninsula were a mutual priority in order to ensure a lasting peace and stability would be achieved in the area. China had earlier issued a two-track approach to North Korea of sanctions but also moves to ease up tensions, such as suspensions for suspensions, a position the Russians now also support. There appears to be a growing division between Chinese and Russian views on North Korea versus the United States. A recent visit of the new South Korean president Moon Jae-In to the US to meet with Trump showed him as mostly in agreement with the US. The joint statement spoke against the military presence of “non-regional powers” in the area and its buildup under what it called the pretext of countering the North Korean nuclear and missile programs. Both specifically opposed the THAAD anti-missile defense system the US is deploying in South Korea. Both countries see the systems as potentially being directed at them. The document says that the THAAD deployment “seriously damages strategic security interests of regional powers, including Russia and China’ and against peace and stability in the region.” The South Korean president has also expressed concerns about the system. The two urged the parties in conflict to sit down for talks, and to agree on principles that would include a refusal to use forces and to pledge to make the Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons. The statement also said that the North had “sensible concerns” that needed to be respected and that countries had an obligation to produce a “peaceful atmosphere of mutual trust” to help launch the talks. Actions of the US are drawing China and Russia closer together. The US recently angered China with a large $1.42 billion arms sale to Taiwan. The US also sailed within what China claims are its territorial waters of a Chinese-claimed island in the South China Sea. Finally, the US has recently sanctioned a Chinese bank, a Chinese company, and several individuals as part of putting pressure on North Korea. This has angered China. Xi said that Russia-China relations are the best ever. Neither North Korea nor the United States are likely to agree to the program suggested by China and Russia even though on the surface it appears to be a sensible way out of the situation. The North Koreans appear to take the view that there own safety will come from developing defenses that even a nation as powerful as the US will not want to challenge. The US on the other hand appears ready to take action before such a situation comes into existence. North Korea claims it has successfully tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and said that it was capable of hitting anywhere in the world. The Hwasong-14 missile was said to have reached an altitude of 2,802 km and hit its target after flying for 39 minutes according the DPRK state television. Whether the statement is true or not it will provide more ammunition for those in the US demanding stronger action against the North. President Trump’s response was rather dismissive as he tweeted: “North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life? Hard to believe that South Korea…..7: 19 PM – 3 Jul 2017” No doubt Kim Jong-Un thinks the tests make North Korea safe just as Trump’s actions such as a ban on immigration from certain Muslim countries are alleged to make America safe. While Kim may have an interest in watching US basketball, perhaps he does not share Trump’s emphasis upon spending his time playing golf. Trump also tweeted that perhaps China would put a heavy move on North Korea and “end this nonsense once and for all”.
