US presses China again on N Korea

Beijing defends its ‘indispensable’ efforts

A DAY after Donald Trump appeared to give up on China as an effective mediator in the West’s long disputes with North Korea, two of the US President’s most senior officials have signalled the administration has not abandoned the use of Beijing as an intermediary.

“China understands that the United States regards North Korea as our top security threat,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters yesterday.

“We reiterated to China that they have a diplomatic responsibility to exert much great economic and diplomatic pressure on the regime if they want to prevent further escalation in the region.”

Mr Tillerson’s comments came after he and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis concluded the first session of a new ministerial-level forum for bilateral exchanges with China that was established by the Trump administration.

Senior US officials said they hoped the diplomatic and security dialogue, similar to those used by previous administrations, would be useful for “increasing mutual trust” between the US and Beijing.

The tension with North Korea rose after American Otto Warmbier, 22, held captive in North Korea for 17 months for stealing a poster, came home almost comatose then died on Monday.

In public, Mr Trump has appeared visibly moved by the incident and on Tuesday he tweeted in frustration: “While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried!”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded with a spirited defence of its mediation efforts.

“The crux and focal point of the nuclear issue does not lie with China,” said spokesman Geng Shuang.

“We have been playing an important and constructive role in this regard…and our efforts are indispensable.”

Later Mr Mattis spoke bluntly about the Warmbier case – but with no indication of how America would hold North Korea accountable for the death, as numerous US officials have vowed to do.