Aug. 11 (UPI) — China warned North Korea it would maintain neutrality should Pyongyang launch an attack against the United States and added it would block any joint U.S.-South Korea attempts to overthrow the Kim Jong Un regime.
China’s state-owned tabloid Global Times ran an editorial on Friday warning the “extreme games” taking place on the Korean peninsula could lead to war.
“If North Korea’s threats to launch missiles at United States territory leads to a reprisal, China is making it clear we shall maintain neutrality,” the editorial stated.
But in the event of a U.S.-South Korea retaliation targeting North Korea, China would take steps to block such measures.
“If the United States and South Korea attempt to overthrow the [Kim] regime using military strikes, or change the political landscape of the Korean peninsula, China will resolutely block such moves,” the editorial stated.
The Chinese editorial was referring to North Korea’s recent threats against the U.S. territory of Guam, home to Andersen Air Force Base, from where two U.S. B-1B bombers were recently deployed on a mission to the peninsula.
In its statement, Pyongyang had said it would create an “enveloping fire” around the U.S. territory of Guam.
The editorial stated China would also “work with Russia” to not only oppose the development of nuclear weapons on the peninsula, but also to prevent military confrontations, a reference to joint U.S.-South Korea exercises.
“Many people see the possibility of war is low,” the editorial stated. “The real dangers are reckless games and the…strategic ‘war’ it could bring about.”
