Beijing hits back at North Korea’s rare criticism
CHINA: Chinese state media has hit back at a rare and detailed attack by North Korea on its neighbour and major economic backer.
China had crossed the ‘‘red line’’ of North Korea and China relations, a scathing commentary published in North Korea’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper claimed on Thursday.
China was accused of turning three provinces of north-east China into an ‘‘anti-North Korea frontline’’, and allowing South Korean intelligence to conduct ‘‘abduction and terror at the SinoNorth Korea border under the disguise of religious and business people’’.
Chinese analysts were ‘‘spouting nonsense’’ that North Korea’s access to nuclear weapons strains north Asia’s security, it said. It criticised China’s ‘‘ignorant politicians and media’’ for supporting stricter sanctions on North Korea.
‘‘Their call for not only slapping stricter sanctions but also not ruling out a military intervention if the DPRK refuses to abandon its nuclear programme is no more than an extremely ego-driven theory based on big-power chauvinism.’’
North Korea’s nuclear programme ‘‘can neither be changed nor shaken and the DPRK will never beg for the maintenance of friendship with China, risking its nuclear programme which is as precious as its own life, no matter how valuable the friendship is’’.
South Korea’s unification ministry said the direct criticism of China by North Korea was a ‘‘rare move’’, according to Yonhap.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman responded to the North Korean media attack by saying China had a consistent position on the North Korean nuclear issue, and a consistent position on maintaining good neighbourly relations with North Korea.
‘‘We have held objective and just positions. We hope all relevant sides can earnestly shoulder due responsibilities’’.
In a previous attack, North Korea had referred to China as a ‘‘neighbouring country’’ when accusing it of dancing to the United States’ tune.
The verbal blast comes as US and Chinese diplomats at the United Nations are believed to be discussing how to impose stricter sanctions on North Korea should it conduct a new nuclear test.
The Global Times newspaper, which along with People’s Daily was named in the North Korean attack, responded by saying ‘‘Pyongyang has been trapped into irrational thinking regarding the nuclear issue’’.
China’s foreign ministry has dismissed as ‘‘fake news’’ reports the Chinese government had told its citizens to leave North Korea.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman responded on Thursday to the North Korean media attack by saying China had a consistent position on the North Korean nuclear issue, and a consistent position on maintaining good neighbourly relations with North Korea.
‘‘We have held objective and just positions. We hope all relevant sides can earnestly shoulder due responsibilities’’. – Fairfax