Politics
2020.01.02 08:35 GMT+8

China calls for dialogue amid U.S.-DPRK tensions

Updated 2020.01.02 17:04 GMT+8
CGTN

China on Thursday called on the U.S. and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to stay committed to a peaceful resolution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue days after DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said they would develop "new strategic weapons."

According to Geng Shuang, spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry, a political settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue serves the national interests of all parties. He expected relevant parties, the U.S. and the DPRK in particular, to meet each other halfway to try to break the current stalemate in nuclear talks.

DPRK's official media reported on Wednesday that Kim Jong Un had signaled that the DPRK no longer felt bound by its self-imposed moratorium on testing nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles. 

Kim said the DPRK took the lead in halting nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests and abolishing its nuclear test site to build trust with the United States over the last two years, however, the U.S. side has responded with joint military exercises with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and more sanctions on the DPRK.  

"Under such condition, there is no ground for us to get unilaterally bound to the commitment any longer, the commitment to which there is no opposite party, and this is chilling our efforts for worldwide nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation," KCNA quoted Kim as saying during the party meeting. 

Kim also said the DPRK should "more actively push forward the project for developing strategic weapons" and "the world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future," according to KCNA. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends a news conference after the First Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, December 17, 2019. /Reuters Photo

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday urged the DPRK not to resume the nuclear and missile tests, said his spokesman. 

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the statement of the DPRK, which has indicated the end of a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests," said spokesman Stephane Dujarric. 

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The UN chief "very much hopes" that the tests will not resume, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions, said Dujarric, adding that non-proliferation remains a fundamental pillar of global nuclear security and must be preserved.

Guterres supports the resumption of a dialogue that will lead to complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Dujarric added. "Diplomatic engagement is the only pathway to sustainable peace." 

(With input from agencies)

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