With tensions rising on the Korean peninsula, China is calling for calm and urging all parties to avoid „provocative actions.“
US President Donald Trump hit the phones Monday to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with North Korea dominating the conversation. Trump has long called on China to rein in its unruly neighbor.
According to Chinese state media, Xi told Trump China is strongly against any action that would violate UN Security Council resolutions and added that the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue can only be solved if all parties take responsibility and work together.
„China hopes to work with relevant parties including the US to make the contribution to keep the peace and stability in the Korean peninsula, “ Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said at a briefing Monday. „As the two influential countries in the world, it is good for the two presidents to stay in touch and exchange views on major issues.“
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after the phone call, told reporters he would „continue to maintain close contact with the US, and maintain an advanced alert monitoring system“.
„North Korea’s nukes and missiles are an issue for the international community, but it is also a serious security threat to Japan, “ Abe said.
Xi’s comments come on the back of increasing signs that China may be getting fed up with continued nuclear bluster from long-time ally North Korea and tilting toward the United States.
Tense weekend
The weekend saw mercury rise on the Korean peninsula when North Korea threatened to sink a US aircraft carrier conducting drills in the region.
State-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun said the country is ready to illustrate its „military force“ by sinking a „nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a single strike.“
The newspaper claimed Pyongyang has weaponry that „can reach continental US and Asia Pacific region“ and the „absolute weapon, “ a hydrogen bomb. CNN cannot independently verify those claims. The editorial is not unusual for North Korean state media, which often responds to perceived threats from the US and its allies with inflammatory language.
Hours later, Pentagon spokesman Gary Ross said the US would call on North Korea „to refrain from provocative, destabilizing actions and rhetoric, and to make the strategic choice to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks.
