Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday said China is in agreement with the US for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and called on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to abide by the United Nations Security Council resolution.
President Trump tweeted his frustration Tuesday that China has not done more to control North Korea, stating: "While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out". Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was released by North Korea in a coma last week after nearly a year and a half in captivity, died Monday, June 19, his family said.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says China has a responsibility to exert much greater economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea to prevent an escalation of tensions in the region.
Shaung faced several questions on North Korea during the briefing, though genereally did not deviate from Beijing's normal stance.
But with the long-standing option of pre-emptive military strikes seen as far too risky for now, Trump's aides are stressing economic and diplomatic pressure.
The US side is expected to press China to cooperate on a further toughening of worldwide sanctions on North Korea. China sent its top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, and Gen. Fang Fenghui, chief of the Chinese military's Joint Staff Department.
"We regret that it is the North Korean people who suffer when the regime diverts resources to these prohibited programmes, and we urge the DPRK regime to choose a better path for its people", he said, adding that "the USA opposes changes to the status quo of the past through the militarization of outposts in the South China Sea and excessive maritime claims unsupported by worldwide law".
Thornton said the USA will be seeking "concrete cooperation" with China on getting North Korea to abandon its nuclear and missile programs and return to negotiations.
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Tillerson stressed the need to choke off funding sources including money laundering, labor export and computer hacking.
"Countries around the world and in the UN Security Council are joining in this effort and we hope China will do its part as well", he said. It had long pushed for a resumption of US negotiations with North Korea, which now appears a remote prospect. -Chinese talks on June 21.
North Korea depends on China for 90% of its trade, a fact that Trump officials cite as an indication of Beijing's ability to influence the Hermit Kingdom.
The talks are meant to build on progress made when President Donald Trump met China's president in Florida in April. At the same time, Trump has mostly held back on attacking Chinese trade practices, which he railed against during the presidential campaign.
"China understands that the United States regards North Korea as our top security threat", Tillerson said. "At least I know China tried!" Regarding Trump's tweet, he explained that it was made in response to Warmbier's death.
"We have a great relationship with China and I really like President Xi", Trump said in a speech at an Iowa community college.
Tillerson also raised the issue of human rights in China and the "militarization of outposts in the South China Sea".
The U.S. -China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue will take place in the U.S. capital.
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