China, a close ally of North Korea, on Wednesday expressed serious concern over Pyongyang’s plans to step up its nuclear and missile programmes.
China is seriously concerned about the latest developments in the nuclear and missile programmes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Foreign Ministry spokesperson lu Kang said.
lu’s comments came after North Korea’s deputy ambassador to the UN and its vice Foreign Minister reportedly said that a new nuclear test was under preparation and more missile tests would be conducted on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.
“China is committed to denuclearising the Korean Peninsula, maintaining peace and stability there, and resolving problems through dialogue and consultation. China’s stance on this is unswerving,” lu said in strongest comments against North Korea in the present crisis.
lu stressed that given the complicated and sensitive situation on the Korean Peninsula, China firmly opposes any words and deeds that could heighten hostility and tension and called on all parties involved to make efforts to ease the tension.
US backtracks on ‘armada’ sailing towards N Korea
Washington: A US aircraft carrier and other warships, which President Donald Trump said were sent to the Korean Peninsula last week as a warning, did not sail towards North Korea — but went in the opposite direction, it has emerged. USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier was even farther away over the weekend, moving through the Sunda Strait and then into the Indian Ocean, as North Korea displayed new missiles and staged a failed missile test, CNN reported. The US military’s Pacific Command explained on Tuesday that the Carl Vinson strike group first had to complete a previously scheduled training with Australia off its northwest coast. But it was now “proceeding to the Western Pacific as ordered”.