Addressing North Korea's problem requires completely new constructive approach

March 1, 2017 - PRLog -- China invites the United States to intensify dialogue with the DPRK to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang on Tuesday, February 21.

"We keep repeating that the crux of the Korean nuclear issue lies with the contradictions between the US and the DPRK. China always supports relevant parties in strengthening communication to enhance mutual understanding and in finding a way out through dialogue and consultation," Geng Shuang said.

"Under the current circumstances, we hope that relevant parties can try harder in this direction and jointly play a constructive part in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and properly resolving the Korean nuclear issue," he added.

The threat from North Korea also became the main topic of the telephone conversation between US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

"The two sides agreed on the need to address the threat that North Korea poses to regional stability," says the statement following the talks.

Earlier, US Media reported that representatives of the North Korean government may come to the United States to meet former US officials, which would become the first meeting of that format in five years.

According to several analysts, China shares US concerns about Pyongyang obtaining a nuclear weapon, but prefers negotiations to sanctions, which it fears could destabilize North Korea.

Meanwhile, Bonnie Glaser, former consultant for US Departments of Defense and State, Senior Adviser for Asia, Director, China Power Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies, expressed the view that the Trump administration, like its predecessors, is encouraging China to do its utmost to influence and constrain North Korea's provocations as well as nuclear and missile programs.

"If Beijing complies with UN Security Council resolutions and puts greater pressure unilaterally on North Korea, that would be welcomed by the US, and would certainly promote better US-China relations," she told PenzaNews.

Commenting on possible Track 2 negotiations, the analyst pointed to their importance.

"There have previously been such meetings, and it will be interesting to see if the DPRK officials have any new signals or messages to convey. The US side won't include Trump officials and therefore will only represent their personal opinions," Bonnie Glaser explained.

There is evident growing concern throughout the region regarding North Korea's missile and nuclear developments; concerns are likely greatest in South Korea and Japan, but also exist in Southeast Asia and in China, she said.

Source: https://penzanews.ru/en/analysis/63664-2017