China tells N Korea to take a step back

CHINA: North Korea will cross the point of no return if it carries out another nuclear test, the official Chinese newspaper Global Times, controlled by the ruling Communist Party, has warned.

In an editorial, the paper has warned Pyongyang of serious consequences if it acts on its latest provocations, following tensions between Kim Jong-un’s regime and the United States, which is threatening to launch a preemptive strike against North Korean nuclear advances.

The paper encouraged China’s neighbour to take a step back, advising that ‘‘if North Korea carries out a sixth nuclear test as expected, it is more likely than ever that the situation will cross the point of no return’’.

‘‘All parties would bear the consequences, with Pyongyang sure to suffer the greatest losses.’’

The warning comes a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with US President Donald Trump by phone, urging the US to exercise caution.

The Global Times, known for its nationalist editorials, warned the North Korean regime of unprecedented sanctions imposed by the United Nations and of attacks by Washington on its military and nuclear facilities, which would force ‘‘the Pyongyang regime (...) to make a life-or-death decision’’.

‘‘The last thing China wants is to see North Korea fall into such a predicament or an outbreak of war in the region. However, China has very limited influence on the entire situation,’’ it added.

‘‘Washington hopes that Beijing can contain Pyongyang (...) as though this were as easy as saying ‘abracadabra’. North Korea, on the other hand, hopes China will pile more pressure on the US and South Korea to stop their threats of war. Beijing cannot possibly satisfy both sides.’’ - EFE