Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge reopens: A sign with the Korean and Chinese flags is displayed near the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, the biggest border crossing between Korea and China. [AFP]
The Independent: China 'tells citizens to leave North Korea' as tensions with US escalate
Embassy reportedly calls Korean-Chinese residents with warning
China has reportedly told its citizens living in North Korea to return home, over fears that tensions between Pyongyang and Washington DC could escalate.
The Korea Times reports that the Chinese embassy in North Korea began advising Korean-Chinese residents to return to China last month, over fears the country’s military provocations could lead to retaliation from the US.
According to Radio Free Asia, a US-based radio station that broadcasts to Asian countries, the embassy began sending the message to citizens ahead of the 85th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army last month.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The Chinese government may be telling its citizens to leave North Korea, but many north Koreans are definitely interested in China in this fascinating post .... North Korean citizens swarm to see the outside world as thousands of them cruise to China on an overloaded boat (Daily Mail).
More News On China Urging Its Citizens In North Korea To Leave The Country
China urges citizens in N. Korea to return home -- Korea Times
China urges both sides of North Korean dispute to 'stop irritating each other'...and tells its citizens in the hermit state to leave in case Kim Jong-un provokes a US attack -- Daily Mail
‘GET OUT NOW’ China urges citizens to evacuate North Korea IMMEDIATELY as nuclear standoff with US hots up -- The SUN
China warns its citizens in North Korea to leave as conflict with US looms. -- Sputnik
China Has Told All Its Citizens To Leave North Korea -- Unilad
This is very interesting. As I understand it, this statement is unprecedented.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible that China has learned that North Korea will soon carry out a nuclear test, and that either China and/or the USA will respond in some tangible way. Rumors of a forthcoming nuclear test might also explain the extraordinary North Korean criticism of China, reported by WNU Editor nearby.
It is also possible that China fears that the Fat Boy will seize Chinese nationals as hostages, much as the Fat Boy has seized Americans recently.
The Fat Boy is playing a dangerous game, but perhaps no more dangerous than routine North Korean politics. His assassination at any time cannot be ruled out. But China is also playing a dangerous game. Whatever nuclear weapons North Korea can drop on South Korea or Japan, they can also drop on China. China is already subject to nuclear danger (a North Korean strike) that the USA deems unacceptable.
If I were President Xi, I would ask my generals whether they can guaranty with close to 100% confidence that no North Korean missile or bomber could reach any Chinese city. I think we know the answer: no. If you were President Xi, would you take that risk to reign in the Fat Boy?
Finally, many reports state that the Fat Boy is irrational. I disagree. I think he is a heartless, merciless, utterly ruthless sociopath, who will do anything, even toss his uncle to be devoured by starving animals, to stay in power. He might be even more ruthless than famous 20th Century sociopaths, such as Stalin. Who knows? But being a sociopath is not the same as being a psychopath. Sociopaths can be very rational. We need to assume that he is very rational. This makes the Fat Boy even more dangerous.
If l was xi and my generals couldnt guarantee to stop any n.k strike and l felt he present ed a risk beyond rhetoric, not only would l have to take that risk to reign him in by necessity but l would work towards creating a pink must
DeleteMist not must
DeleteNorth Korea is not even the tiniest of a threat to China. North Korea is nothing but a satellite state controlled by China economically and politically. Whatever china says to the contrary is a lie. China controls Kim family for decades. China ensured survival of North Korea during and after the first Korean war. China supplied much of the goods and knowledge needed for the nork economy and military. Are you guys sleeping? North Korea is a "take the Fall" state that has nuclear weapons aimed at the US and Japan - coincidentally both are Chinese adversaries. Wake up.
DeleteYou nailed it Publius. I have a post later tonight that says essentially the same thing that you are saying. If North Korea ignores China and conducts a nuclear test, China will respond with real sanctions. After that ... who knows what North Korea will do. Seizing Chinese nationals as hostages may be just one outcome.
ReplyDeletePublius,
ReplyDelete" he is a heartless, merciless, utterly ruthless" Yes, but I do think he's not moored to reality.
Like other despots before him he will run his country to ruin. , have it ravaged by war and famine then turn up in some African or south american country with a couple of billion green backs.
DeleteHe wont lose jack his people will,along with the entire region.