At Shangri-La Dialogue, the secretary of defense says the US in encouraged by China’s efforts, won’ t militarization of islands
The United States is encouraged by China’s efforts to restrain North Korea, but Washington will not accept Beijing’s militarization of islands in the South China Sea, U. S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Saturday.
The comments by Mattis, during the annual Shangri-La Dialogue forum, show how U. S. President Donald Trump’s administration is looking to balance working with China to restrain North Korea’s advancing missile and nuclear programs while dealing with Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea.
North Korea threat ‘clear and present’
Trump has actively courted support from Chinese President Xi Jinping to restrain North Korea, raising concern among Asian allies that Washington might allow China a more free rein elsewhere in the region.
Mattis said the threat from North Korea was “clear and present” and that Pyongyang had increased its pace of pursuing nuclear weapons.
The United States has struggled to slow North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, which have become a security priority given Pyongyang’s vow to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the U. S. mainland.
The Trump administration has been pressing China aggressively to rein in its reclusive neighbor, warning all options are on the table if North Korea persists with its weapons programs.
Sanctions, military exercises
“The Trump administration is encouraged by China’s renewed commitment to work with the international community toward denuclearization, ” Mattis said.
