BEIJING, China (Reuters) — China’s hard work in trying to ensure the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is obvious to all, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday (January 3) after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Beijing was not helping to control North Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Sunday (January 1) his nuclear-capable country was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), raising the prospect of putting parts of the United States in range.
Trump dismissed the claim, saying on Twitter: “It won’t happen.”
Trump has not outlined a policy on North Korea but during the U.S. election campaign indicated he would be willing to talk its leader, Kim, given the opportunity.
He has also been critical of China over the issue. On Monday (January 2), Trump said China had benefited from its economic ties with the United States but would not use its influence to help control North Korea.
Responding to the comment, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China had been pushing for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.
“We uphold the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, maintaining its peace and stability, and resolving the relevant issue via dialogue and consultation. China’s efforts in this regard are perfectly obvious. We hope all sides avoid words or actions that raise tensions and jointly push the Peninsula nuclear issue back onto the track of dialogue and negotiations at an early date,” Geng told a news briefing in Beijing.
“As a permanent member of the UN Security Council we have proactively participated in relevant discussions on the North Korean nuclear issue and have jointly passed several resolutions with other parties. I think this shows China’s responsible attitude,” he added.
A North Korean ICBM, once fully developed, could threaten the continental United States, which is about 9,000 km (5,500 miles) from the North.
ICBMs have a minimum range of about 5,500 km (3,400 miles), but some are designed to travel 10,000 km (6,200 miles) or further.