China for talks after US terror tag for North Air China stops flights to N. Korea

Beijing, Nov. 21: China called on Tuesday for extra efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis through talks after US President Donald Trump re- branded Pyongyang as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Beijing has repeatedly pushed for negotiations to end the standoff. Some analysts warned that the terror designation could further inflame tensions.

“We still hope all relevant parties can contribute to easing tensions, that the relevant parties can resume talks and ( adopt) correct track to resolving the Korean peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation,” said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang.

“More should be done in that regard.” China has pushed for a “dual track approach” which would require the United States to freeze its military drills in South Korea while North Korea would halt its weapons programmes, but the proposal has not gained traction.

Mr Trump on Monday promised a rapid escalation of US Treasury sanctions against the North after adding its name to a terror blacklist previously led by Iran and Syria.

“Should have happened a long time ago. Should have happened years ago,” Mr Trump said.

He cited the death of Beijing: State- owned airline Air China suspended flights on Tuesday between Beijing and North Korea due to a lack of demand, deepening the North’s isolation amid mounting UN sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs.

The move followed US President Donald Trump’s decision to add Pyongyang to a list of governments that support terrorism but there was no indication that prompted Air China’s decision.

Beijing has supported UN curbs on North Korean exports meant to pressure the government of leader Kim Jong Un to drop its pursuit of nuclear and missile technology. US student who had been held in a North Korean jail and the assassination by nerve agent of Kim’s elder half- brother on foreign soil as reasons for the move.

However, secretary of State Rex Tillerson said sanctions and diplomacy could still pressure North Korean leader Kim JongUn into talks on nuclear disarmament.