North Korea missile tests response to US provocation, says China

#Asia #China #DonaldTrump

A US-back UN Security Council joint statement condemning North Korea was vetoed by China and others
China has said that North Korea's missile tests are a response to US provocation
North Korea test fired 11 missiles in Janaury 2022

Written By:Shiladitya

Updated: February 04 2022 06:55:18 PM ET New York, NY, USA

A US-drafted United Nations (UN) Security Council joint-statement condemning North Korea for its recent missile tests was scrapped by China and others, diplomats told AFP on Friday.

Commenting on it, China’s ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun, told the news agency, “If they [US] do want to see some new breakthrough, they should show more sincerity and flexibility.”

“They should come up with more attractive and more practical, more flexible approaches, policies and actions and accommodating the concerns of the DPRK [North Korea]. What I see is the key in solving this issue is already in the hands of the United States,” Zhang added ahead of the closed-door meeting held at Washington’s request.

Also read | Mike Pence says Donald Trump wrong in saying VP could overturn election

Defending North Korea’s activities, the Chinese diplomat said that Pyongyang had suspended ballistic missile tests and the development of nuclear weapons due to its understanding with for US President Donald Trump’s administration, but its recent actions have been provoked by “a vicious circle of confrontation, condemnation, sanctions” by the Joe Biden administration in recent months.

Asked about China’s stance on the situation, Zhang replied, “At least we are doing something to facilitate further improvement and avoiding the escalation of the tension.”

Also read | CDC backs Moderna vaccine after complete regulator approval in US

China and Russia have repeatedly blocked attempts to pass a Security Council resolution to take action against North Korea, and have even floated a proposal seeking to ease sanctions on Pyongyang, which is suffering from a food crisis, on humanitarian grounds. However, that proposal, floated in 2021, has not been put to vote due to a lack of support from other Security Council members.

North Korea has considerably ramped up missile testing since the turn of the year and have launched 11 missiles over the course of seven tests in January 2022 alone. It has also repeatedly threatened to resume development of nuclear weapons.