BEIJING (Reuters) - Angered as the United States and its allies ignore Chinese calls to calm tensions over North Korea, and distracted by domestic concerns, China is largely sitting out the latest crisis with nuclear-armed Pyongyang.
While a conflict on the Korean peninsula would affect China, and in worst-case scenarios unleash a radioactive cloud or waves of refugees into its northeast, Beijing has kept a low profile as tension has escalated in recent days.
North Korea dismissed on Thursday warnings by U.S. President Donald Trump that it would face "fire and fury" if it threatened the United States as a "load of nonsense", and outlined plans for a missile strike near the Pacific territory of Guam.
China, whose regular daily foreign ministry press briefings are suspended for a two week summer holiday, has said little in public about the situation this week, reiterating its usual calls for calm and restraint.
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WNU Editor: Like Pontius Pilate .... when times get tough and hard decisions need to be made, China has a "wash my hands" approach when it comes to North Korea .... while permitting the trade and banking that funds North Korea's military and nuclear programs to continue. I have said this more than once .... China is going to be put in a situation where they will have to choose .... continue business as usual with North Korea, or risk everything else with the West. For the Chinese .... to be placed in such a situation where they are being dictated by everyone else on what to do .... is a hard pill to swallow. It is only natural that they are seething on the sidelines with what is happening, but they have no one to blame but themselves .... they have made decisions that has resulted with us being where we are today, and they have to live with it. The question that needs to be asked .... and I have asked my Chinese friends more than once .... is it (North Korea) really worth it?
6 comments:
Absolutely correct. I would not be at all surprised to learn that Trump warned the ChiComms that everything up to and including a total trade embargo as well as nuclear weapons for Japan and S. Korea was on the table.
North Korea was seen by China and USSR as a useful problem to USA. Time is moving and I agree with WNU this is backfiring with little strategic interest. May be, for the Chinese, the "roadblock" is losing face.
"...the "roadblock" is losing face." China and Russia both have agreed to additional sanctions. This is nothing short of miraculous in getting them to agree to additional sanctions. They could have very easily vetoed the sanctions killing them entirely or they could have abstained which means the bill passes but they aren't on record as supporting it. Without Russia and China to back them North Korea's position is far more tenuous than it would be if they had such backing.
When the survivors great (by a factor 10 - 100) grandchildren ask why in the 21 century mankind choose to almost obliterate themselves the answer will be 'for no particular reason that is important. Simply put out of control meaningless rhetoric got worse and then that war was stated on a whim.'
China needs to take a short term financial hit for long term financial or moral gain.
Chinese are suppose to be long term strategic thinkers.
But the individuals, who have a stake in China North Korea trade, live, trade, and think on a human timescale.
North Korea run correctly would have a much higher GDP and thus trade with it neighbors would be much higher.
Well, Mr. Huntley does not know his barritus.
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