A strident editorial in the Global Times, a Communist Party-backed newspaper, said yesterday that while China believed North Korea should shelve its nuclear programs, Pyongyang should not be punished by the US, Japan and South Korea.
Last week, North Korea carried out its third nuclear detonation, testing out an underground nuclear device at a remote site in the country's north. The shockwaves, which were felt in remote areas of China, were initially reported as an earthquake until it emerged a test had been held.
The move was immediately condemned by world leaders and prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to negotiate what action to take against North Korea.
However, Pyongyang warned that it planned up to two more tests in the next few months.
China is a major contributor of foreign aid to North Korea and has previously said it does not believe the nation's impoverished population should be harmed by US sanctions.
"China is facing a difficult diplomatic problem. Its only choice is to avoid worsening the situation," the Global Times editorial said. "China opposes North Korea's nuclear tests and should express its opposition clearly through actions despite Pyongyang's discomfort. China should inform Pyongyang that if it continues to conduct nuclear tests, assistance will be further reduced."
However, it also said China would not directly back the world's response in punishing North Korea. "But China is still North Korea's friend," it said.
"This means China won't join hands with the US, South Korea and Japan to blockade North Korea on land and sea and will oppose any UN resolutions that threaten the North Korean regime. China opposes North Korea possessing nuclear power, but won't see a sharp turn in its attitude to Pyongyang."
The North Korean ambassador to China, Ji Jae-ryong, was summoned to Beijing for talks immediately after the latest test was carried out last week.
North Korean diplomats were due to visit Canberra yesterday, but the trip was cancelled by Foreign Minister Bob Carr.
China surprised the world by supporting a UN Security Council resolution to impose sanctions on North Korea when it carried out a long-range rocket launch in mid-December.
However, the Global Times said China would play an increasingly important role in pushing for peace on the Korean peninsula.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments always welcome!