Politics
17:21, 16-Nov-2017
China maintains 'suspension for suspension' most reasonable solution for DPRK crisis
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China on Thursday reaffirmed that the "suspension for suspension" proposal is the most realistic and reasonable solution to defuse the Korean Peninsula crisis, after US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington and Beijing "would not accept a so-called ‘freeze for freeze’ agreement."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a press briefing on Thursday that the "suspension for suspension" proposal is only a first step and not the final solution.
The "suspension for suspension” proposal would see the DPRK suspend its missile and nuclear activities in exchange for a halt to large-scale military exercises between the United States and South Korea.
"Not only can it relieve the present tense situation, it can also resolve all parties' most pressing security concerns and provide an opportunity and create conditions to resume talks and find a breakthrough point to get out of trouble,” Geng said.
US President Donald Trump takes a drink of water as he speaks about his recent trip to Asia in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, US, November 15, 2017. /Reuters Photo
US President Donald Trump takes a drink of water as he speaks about his recent trip to Asia in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, US, November 15, 2017. /Reuters Photo
"We hope all sides would take China's proposal seriously," he added.
After returning from an almost two-week tour of Asia, Trump vowed a global campaign of "maximum pressure" on the DPRK and claimed that the US and China had rejected the so-called "freeze for freeze" agreement.
"I made clear that we will not allow this twisted dictatorship to hold the world hostage to nuclear blackmail," Trump said in a televised statement.
"President Xi recognizes that a nuclear North Korea (DPRK) is a grave threat to China. And we agreed that we would not accept a so-called 'freeze for freeze' agreement like those that have consistently failed in the past," he said.
The DPRK says it needs to develop its nuclear arsenal to protect itself from threats from the US. Pyongyang sees US-South Korea military exercises as a preparation for invasion.
"China is consistent in its stance towards the DPRK issue. It is committed to the denuclearization and stability of the peninsula and solving the issue through dialogue," said Geng.
China will send the special envoy of President Xi Jinping to the DPRK on Friday.
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