The Chinese approach to North Korea’s planned April missile launch has been revealed in a new Global Times editorial, in which the North’s decision to go ahead with the launch is described as a reaction to the international environment while the U.S., South Korea and Japan are urged to improve the regional security situation.
Criticizing the other countries for “counting on the fact that China can eventually bring North Korea to its knees,” the op-ed piece released this morning states, “China should distance itself from the policy these three countries insist on. They need to answer the question of why the financially strapped North Korea is obsessed with developing strategic weapons, and why it barely cares about the condemnation from the international community.”
The reason, it claims, is that “North Korea feels insecure,” because it has “long been haunted by a fear of outside invasion or intervention. It needs nuclear weapons and missile power to be able to strike U.S. territory to prevent any external threats.”
Making clear that “keeping friendly ties (with North Korea) is important to China” because “It is a starting point for China to exert influence, and also in its fundamental interests in Northeast Asian diplomatic affairs,” it also goes on to state China’s view of its role in the region.
“It is not simply yielding to North Korea’s demands,” the piece concedes, before adding, “but it cannot shape North Korea according to the will of Seoul, Tokyo and Washington.”
