China Tells U.S. That North Korea's Nuclear Program Is Not Their Problem

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a performance given with splendor at the People's Theatre on Wednesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the State Merited Chorus in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on February 23, 2017. KCNA/via REUTERS

Reuters: China say North Korea's nuclear plan is a problem between U.S. and North Korea

China on Friday dismissed renewed pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump over its role in North Korea, saying the crux of the matter was a dispute between Washington and Pyongyang.

Trump told Reuters in an interview on Thursday that China could solve the national security challenge posed by North Korea "very easily if they want to", turning up pressure on Beijing to exert more influence to rein in Pyongyang's increasingly bellicose actions.

China has made clear that it opposes North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and has repeatedly called for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and a return to negotiations between Pyongyang and world powers.

It has also insisted it is dedicated to enforcing U.N. sanctions against North Korea.

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Update: China says US must work together on solution to N. Korea (AFP)

WNU Editor: On the one hand China tells the U.S./South Korea/Japan that they cannot do much to reign in North Korea .... but when South Korea/U.S./Japan take measures to protect their sovereignty .... Defense chiefs of Korea, US reaffirm THAAD deployment this year (Korea Herald) .... the Chinese are quick to protest .... China ratchets up criticism of US missile plans, while speeding up its own arsenal (CNBC). More here .... China reiterates opposition to THAAD deployment in S. Korea (Xinhuanet). This type of diplomacy never works .... but it appears that China is hell bent on pursuing it.