China backs N Korea’s nuke climbdown efforts
BEIJING : China fully and firmly supports North Korea’s denuclearisation efforts and backs its upcoming dialogue with the US, President Xi Jinping.
Xi said China expects North Korea and the US to “to meet each other halfway”, indicating that Beijing wants Washington to consider waiving sanctions against Pyongyang in exchange of the Communist country’s assurance of gradually dismantling its nuclear facilities.
“China hopes that the DPRK and the US will meet each other halfway,” Xi said, adding, “China stands ready to work with the DPRK and relevant parties to play a positive and constructive role in maintaining peace and stability and realising denuclearisation on the peninsula and lasting peace and stability in the region.”
A statement issued by official news agency Xinhua on Kim’s visit, issued several hours after he took the train on Wednesday from Beijing back to Pyongyang, said China is willing to work with North Korea, the US and “relevant parties” for peace in the peninsula.
This was Kim’s fourth visit to China in less than a year and details of the meetings were kept secret until well after the North Korean leader had left for his country.
The statement revealed that Xi and Kim had met for several hours over official meetings and banquets.
The message from the meetings showed unequivocal support to North Korea. It was also clear that Kim was preparing for his second summit with US President Donald Trump set to take place soon.
S KOREA URGES BOLDER STEPS FROM NORTH, US
South Korean President Moon Jae In urged North Korea to take bolder disarmament measures that the US should then reward, suggesting on Thursday he wants harsh sanctions lifted so Seoul can eventually restart dormant economic cooperation projects with its neighbour.
Moon said resolving the issue of the North Korea sanctions hinges on how fast Pyongyang denuclearises and whether it receives reciprocal measures from the US.