China Condemns North Korean Nuclear Test

February 12, 2013

Comments

The Chinese Government has formally condemned North Korea’s nuclear test:

(Reuters) – North Korea conducted its third nuclear test on Tuesday in defiance of existing U.N. resolutions, drawing condemnation from around the world, including from its only major ally, China, which summoned the North Korean ambassador to protest.

(…)

China, which has shown signs of increasing exasperation with the recent bellicose tone of its neighbor, summoned the North Korean ambassador in Beijing and protested sternly, the Foreign Ministry said.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said China was “strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed” to the test and urged North Korea to “stop any rhetoric or acts that could worsen situations and return to the right course of dialogue and consultation as soon as possible”.

This is only the latest sign of China’s growing and obvious irritation with the North Koreans. Whether it leads to any changes in policy from Beijing is another question entirely.

3 responses to “China Condemns North Korean Nuclear Test”

Gustopher

February 12, 2013 at 3:32 pm

Is there really no less-worse General in North Korea who might be encouraged to shoot Kim Jong Un in the back of the head?

I don’t even care if the Chinese pick the less-worse General.
rudderpedals

February 12, 2013 at 3:57 pm

No Chinese regrets though for propping up the Kim dynasty for 60 years and counting.
Neil Hudelson

February 12, 2013 at 4:01 pm

Whether it leads to any changes in policy from Beijing is another question entirely.

From my understanding, the Chinese wants stability more than anything else. At this point I would think that they would rather have a known-unknown (Kim, a known actor, and what he will do, an unknown factor) versus an unknown-unknown* of a rogue general gaining control of at least a few nuclear devices.

*I always thought Rumsfeld’s Orwellian coinages were some of his most significant contributions to the Bush years. (Besides the whole going to war on a lie, killing hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and 5,000 allies).