U.S.: U.S., China oppose North Korea nuclear test

U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Ambassador Glyn Davies, at right speaks to journalists at a hotel in Beijing, China, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. / AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

BEIJING Washington and Beijing have agreed that a nuclear test by North Korea would lead to its further isolation and set back efforts to restart regional talks on its nuclear disarmament, a U.S. envoy said.

After talks in Beijing on Friday with senior Chinese officials, U.S. envoy for North Korea Glyn Davies said both sides are opposed to any nuclear test by North Korea and said ridding it of nuclear weapons remains a condition for bringing stability to the region.

"We reached strong consensus that a nuclear test will be troubling and will set back efforts to de-nuclearize the Korean Peninsula. De-nuclearization is a necessary precondition to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Davies told reporters.

He said North Korea can choose to test and further isolate itself or return to disarmament talks that involve South Korea, Japan and Russia as well as the U.S. and China.

"We judge North Korea by its actions, not its words," he said.

Davies' Beijing talks come amid visits to South Korea and Japan to discuss what to do about North Korea. His tour also comes as tensions are rising and China is showing signs it wants to rein in its North Korean ally. Beijing fell into rare agreement with Washington this past week, allowing the U.N. to tighten sanctions against North Korea as punishment for a rocket launch last month.

In response, the North Korean Defense Commission, which commands the military, said it is prepared to conduct a nuclear test and made clear its missiles are capable of reaching the United States.

Another nuclear test by North Korea would pose a challenge to newly installed Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, unsteadying South Korea, Japan and the United States. Relations between the three and Beijing are strained, and their trade and investment help to keep the buoyant Chinese economy growing.

Asked about Davies' visit, China's Foreign Ministry said that given the current tensions, all sides need to keep calm. "The current situation of the peninsula is complicated and sensitive. We hope the relevant sides can stay calm, strengthen dialogue, avoid any acts that will escalate tension and jointly maintain peace and stability of the peninsula," ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a routine daily media briefing.

China provides most of North Korea's fuel and a good deal of its food and accounts for an increasing share of its trade and investment. But in more than a decade of recurring missile launches, two nuclear tests and other provocations by North Korea, China has been reluctant to use its economic leverage, fearing it could destabilize its neighbor.

[Bush-cheney-R-Terrorists]

North Korea cannot do a thing without China's acquiescence. Kim Jong XBox is only allowed to waddle around because it amuses China in seeing him stress out Japan and South Korea.

[deepbluegmail]

It is repugnant to think that North Korea actually would carry a nuclear attack to USA. North Korea trying to increase their deterent power in her region, she uses their military might and defience manner in terms of showing strong response against any sanctions or retribution which some countries happily want to apply. It is very pitty to see any separation between the same countries, what we witnessed Germany in the past. Lots of people suffering for the results of this separation and isolation. Many families and relatives cannot come together, both countries effecting this separation negatively for many years. Some countries want to use this separation in according with benefit like America and China. Korean peninsula is highly volatile and would easily be break by any acts. I wish to see that a whole united Korea in the future, more stable, more powerful for many aspect. This seperation not only harms Koreans also would take risks for whole world. We can visualise countries as an organs of the world's body, if some organs become ill, whole body inevitably feels this ailment. We cannot close our eyes what is happing in Syria, Korean peninsula or Iraq. We need to act as a repair manner and countries need to come together and try to solve problems.

[TPAULA]

I totally support North Korea. Where does China, the US and the other so called world powers get the nerve to complain about North Korea's nuclear and rocket programs. I think North Korea should give them all a middle finger salute.

[erasmus111]

When is everybody going to wake up?! North Korea does not care if they are further isolated. They do not care if they are sanctioned. They do not care if they get back to "talks". They are going to do exactly what they want to do and nothing will stand in their way.

So many think that the little troll won't go through with the nuclear test, or with his threats to the US. Seriously? We aren't talking about a person/country that is SANE here. They don't think like everyone else. It doesn't matter what is said, or what is done, they will not stop. They have done nothing that they said they would do, as far as resuming the talks, or dismantling their nuclear facilities.

[erasmus111]

"They aren't going to give up their nukes any more than the U.S. would."


There's a difference between "idiots" having them and the TOTALLY "insane" having them. : )

[MSISTEPMINSTREL]

"GLUE THEIR MISSILE TO THE PAD-TO THE PAD-TO THE PAD-MAKE YOUNG ILLIN' HOPPIN' MAD!!-GIVE 'EM FALLOUT"!!!

[rwsmith29456]

It's a strange world when the US and China agree on something concerning eastern Asia.