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China will 'never allow war or chaos' on Korean peninsula, says Xi Jinping | China will 'never allow war or chaos' on Korean peninsula, says Xi Jinping |
(4 months later) | |
Beijing showed its impatience over North Korea’s continued illegal missile launches as the United Nations security council threatened more sanctions against Kim Jong-un’s regime, which is believed to be preparing for a further nuclear test. | Beijing showed its impatience over North Korea’s continued illegal missile launches as the United Nations security council threatened more sanctions against Kim Jong-un’s regime, which is believed to be preparing for a further nuclear test. |
President Xi Jinping of China underscored Beijing’s commitment to enforcing existing UN sanctions on North Korea and to preventing any instability on its doorstep. | President Xi Jinping of China underscored Beijing’s commitment to enforcing existing UN sanctions on North Korea and to preventing any instability on its doorstep. |
“As a close neighbour we will never allow war or chaos on the [Korean] peninsula,” he told a meeting of regional foreign ministers in Beijing. | “As a close neighbour we will never allow war or chaos on the [Korean] peninsula,” he told a meeting of regional foreign ministers in Beijing. |
The UN security council on Thursday held urgent closed-door consultations after North Korea’s unsuccessful launch earlier in the day of two medium-range missiles. The North has now made three bids in two weeks to test-fly a Musudan missile, which is capable of striking US bases on the Pacific island of Guam. | The UN security council on Thursday held urgent closed-door consultations after North Korea’s unsuccessful launch earlier in the day of two medium-range missiles. The North has now made three bids in two weeks to test-fly a Musudan missile, which is capable of striking US bases on the Pacific island of Guam. |
“We are looking at a response,” said China’s ambassador, Liu Jieyi, who holds the security council presidency for April. | “We are looking at a response,” said China’s ambassador, Liu Jieyi, who holds the security council presidency for April. |
Security council diplomats warned North Korea to expect a response after Pyongyang’s repeated failed attempts to test-fire a powerful ballistic missile, the latest defiance of UN resolutions. | Security council diplomats warned North Korea to expect a response after Pyongyang’s repeated failed attempts to test-fire a powerful ballistic missile, the latest defiance of UN resolutions. |
The Japanese ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa said Tokyo condemned the “grave and very clear violations” of UN resolutions that comprised a direct threat to Japan’s national security. | The Japanese ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa said Tokyo condemned the “grave and very clear violations” of UN resolutions that comprised a direct threat to Japan’s national security. |
The 15-member council was unanimous in condemning the latest launches, Yoshikawa said. | The 15-member council was unanimous in condemning the latest launches, Yoshikawa said. |
UN resolutions bar North Korea from developing any ballistic missile-related technology, and South Korea said it would push for fresh penalties. | UN resolutions bar North Korea from developing any ballistic missile-related technology, and South Korea said it would push for fresh penalties. |
Diplomats said they expected the council to issue a statement on Friday after the Chinese delegation requested time to consult with officials in Beijing. | Diplomats said they expected the council to issue a statement on Friday after the Chinese delegation requested time to consult with officials in Beijing. |
South Korea said a first launch on Thursday of what was understood to be a Musudan missile saw the rocket plunge back to earth seconds after take-off. | South Korea said a first launch on Thursday of what was understood to be a Musudan missile saw the rocket plunge back to earth seconds after take-off. |
A second attempt in the evening – again of a Musudan – also appeared to have failed, a defence ministry official said. | A second attempt in the evening – again of a Musudan – also appeared to have failed, a defence ministry official said. |
An initial effort on 15 April – the birthday of late founding leader Kim Il-sung – ended in what the Pentagon described as “fiery, catastrophic” failure, with the missile apparently exploding just after take-off. | An initial effort on 15 April – the birthday of late founding leader Kim Il-sung – ended in what the Pentagon described as “fiery, catastrophic” failure, with the missile apparently exploding just after take-off. |
South Korean military officials say the North is desperate to register a successful launch ahead of next week’s ruling party congress, at which Kim Jong-un is expected to take credit for pushing ahead with the country’s nuclear programme. | South Korean military officials say the North is desperate to register a successful launch ahead of next week’s ruling party congress, at which Kim Jong-un is expected to take credit for pushing ahead with the country’s nuclear programme. |
In recent months the North has claimed a series of major technical breakthroughs in developing what it sees as the ultimate goal of its nuclear drive: an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to targets across the United States. | In recent months the North has claimed a series of major technical breakthroughs in developing what it sees as the ultimate goal of its nuclear drive: an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to targets across the United States. |
The achievements trumpeted by Pyongyang have included miniaturizing a nuclear warhead to fit on a missile, developing a warhead that can withstand atmospheric re-entry and building a solid-fuel missile engine. | The achievements trumpeted by Pyongyang have included miniaturizing a nuclear warhead to fit on a missile, developing a warhead that can withstand atmospheric re-entry and building a solid-fuel missile engine. |
Last Saturday it successfully tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile – a move that was promptly condemned by the security council. | Last Saturday it successfully tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile – a move that was promptly condemned by the security council. |
South Korea and the United States began wrapping up on Friday their annual Foal Eagle military exercise, which was beefed up this year in response to the January nuclear test. | South Korea and the United States began wrapping up on Friday their annual Foal Eagle military exercise, which was beefed up this year in response to the January nuclear test. |
North Korea regularly condemns the large-scale joint drills, which it insists are provocative rehearsals for invasion. | North Korea regularly condemns the large-scale joint drills, which it insists are provocative rehearsals for invasion. |
With Agence France-Presse | With Agence France-Presse |
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