This undated picture released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on March 7, 2017 shows the launch of four ballistic missiles by the Korean People's Army (KPA)
Reuters: China warns against force as North Korea prepares celebration
Military force cannot resolve tension over North Korea, China said on Thursday, while an influential Chinese newspaper urged the North to halt its nuclear programme in exchange for Chinese protection.
With a U.S. aircraft carrier group steaming to the area and tension rising, South Korea said it believed the United States would consult it before any pre-emptive strike against the North.
Fears have been growing that the reclusive North could soon conduct its sixth nuclear test or more missile launches in defiance of U.N. sanctions and stark warnings from the United States that a policy of patience was over.
China, North Korea's sole major ally and benefactor, which nevertheless opposes its weapons programme, has called for talks leading to a peaceful resolution and the denuclearisation of the peninsula.
"Military force cannot resolve the issue," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters in Beijing.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: China is offering "protection" to North Korea in exchange that they halt their nuclear program .... State Paper Says China Would Protect a Denuclearized North Korea (US News and World Report/Reuters). But reports like this one makes me wonder if China is really serious .... China Says Its Trade With North Korea Has Increased (New York Times). And then I am reading stories like this one .... Kim Jong Un’s rockets are getting an important boost — from China (Washington Post).
Update #1: Here are two analysis on why we should not expect much from China when it comes to North Korea ....
Why China Remains North Korea's Biggest Ally (Newsweek)
Trump thought China could get North Korea to comply. It’s not that easy. (Amanda Erickson, Washington Post)
Update #2: At least he is aware of it .... Trump on North Korea-China relations: 'I realized it's not so easy' (The Hill).
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