Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is “complex and grave,” and that there could be “unpredictable consequences” if the crisis is not handled properly. Xi made the remarks during a meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday. Tillerson is in Beijing to discuss the North Korea issue, as well as other matters of mutual concern..
Xi said that China “firmly opposes” North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, and that it is “committed to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.” However, he also stressed that China believes that the crisis should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, rather than through military action..
“We hope that all parties concerned can exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions, and create conditions for the resumption of dialogue,” Xi said..
Tillerson said that the US and China “share a common objective” of denuclearizing North Korea. However, he also said that the US is “prepared to use all options” to achieve this goal, including military action..
“We are not seeking conflict or regime change in North Korea,” Tillerson said. “But we will not tolerate North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons that threaten the United States or our allies.”.
The meeting between Xi and Tillerson comes at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has conducted a series of missile tests in recent months, and has threatened to launch a nuclear strike against the US. The US has responded by sending a carrier strike group to the region, and by increasing its military presence in South Korea..
The crisis has raised concerns about the possibility of a nuclear war between the US and North Korea. However, Xi and Tillerson both stressed that they believe that the crisis can be resolved peacefully..
“We believe that there is still room for diplomatic efforts,” Xi said. “We hope that all parties concerned can seize this opportunity to return to the negotiating table.”.
Tillerson said that the US is “prepared to talk” to North Korea, but that it will not do so “without preconditions.”.
“We are not going to negotiate over the future of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program,” Tillerson said. “We are not going to accept a nuclear North Korea.”.
The outcome of the crisis on the Korean Peninsula is still uncertain. However, the meeting between Xi and Tillerson suggests that both China and the US are committed to finding a peaceful solution..
