Chinese and North Korean ministers meet amid missile launches
Pyongyang fires off long-range missile after US submarine arrives in South Korea
18 December 2023 - 11:05
by Ryan Woo and Liz Lee
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The North Korean flag. Picture: NURPHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES/CHRIS JUNG
Beijing — Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi held high-level talks with a senior North Korean official in Beijing on Monday, coinciding with Pyongyang’s launch of a missile capable of reaching anywhere in the US.
China always views its ties with North Korea from a strategic and long-term perspective, the foreign ministry said in a statement, citing Wang’s comments in the meeting with North Korean vice-minister of foreign affairs Pak Myong Ho.
Beijing is willing to strengthen two-way communication and co-ordination while deepening exchanges and co-operation, Wang added.
Wang and Pak exchanged views on issues of “common concern”, on which the ministry did not elaborate.
North Korea is officially China’s only ally. Both are bound by a treaty signed in 1961 to take all necessary measures, including military assistance, to help each other in the event of an attack or an attempted attack by a third country.
North Korea’s missile launch on Monday came after the firing of a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday night.
Pyongyang has condemned the US for orchestrating what it called a “preview of a nuclear war”, including the arrival of a nuclear-powered US submarine in South Korea on Sunday.
All of North Korea’s ballistic missile activities are banned by UN Security Council resolutions, though Pyongyang defends them as its sovereign right to self-defence.
North Korea will keep strengthening multilateral ties with China to “safeguard common interests” and “maintain regional peace and stability”, Pak was cited as saying in the Chinese statement.
Pak arrived in Beijing last week on a rare official visit ahead of the 75th anniversary in 2024 of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
A spokesperson of China’s foreign ministry said the Korean peninsula issue is complex and urged dialogue by all concerned parties to resolve their issues.
“Attempts to solve the problem through military deterrence and pressure will not work,” Wang Wenbin told a regular media conference. “They will only backfire, further intensifying contradictions and tension.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Chinese and North Korean ministers meet amid missile launches
Pyongyang fires off long-range missile after US submarine arrives in South Korea
Beijing — Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi held high-level talks with a senior North Korean official in Beijing on Monday, coinciding with Pyongyang’s launch of a missile capable of reaching anywhere in the US.
China always views its ties with North Korea from a strategic and long-term perspective, the foreign ministry said in a statement, citing Wang’s comments in the meeting with North Korean vice-minister of foreign affairs Pak Myong Ho.
Beijing is willing to strengthen two-way communication and co-ordination while deepening exchanges and co-operation, Wang added.
Wang and Pak exchanged views on issues of “common concern”, on which the ministry did not elaborate.
North Korea is officially China’s only ally. Both are bound by a treaty signed in 1961 to take all necessary measures, including military assistance, to help each other in the event of an attack or an attempted attack by a third country.
North Korea’s missile launch on Monday came after the firing of a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday night.
Pyongyang has condemned the US for orchestrating what it called a “preview of a nuclear war”, including the arrival of a nuclear-powered US submarine in South Korea on Sunday.
All of North Korea’s ballistic missile activities are banned by UN Security Council resolutions, though Pyongyang defends them as its sovereign right to self-defence.
North Korea will keep strengthening multilateral ties with China to “safeguard common interests” and “maintain regional peace and stability”, Pak was cited as saying in the Chinese statement.
Pak arrived in Beijing last week on a rare official visit ahead of the 75th anniversary in 2024 of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
A spokesperson of China’s foreign ministry said the Korean peninsula issue is complex and urged dialogue by all concerned parties to resolve their issues.
“Attempts to solve the problem through military deterrence and pressure will not work,” Wang Wenbin told a regular media conference. “They will only backfire, further intensifying contradictions and tension.”
Reuters
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