China Demands the US Stop Shouting "Empty Slogans" on North Korea

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Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Wednesday that the United States must "come up with attractive dialogue proposals" with North Korea, instead of repeating "empty slogans," as both sides need to build mutual trust.

The Foreign Ministry's remarks came in the backdrop of Washington's recent statements that the US was ready to meet DPRK officials without preconditions. Pyongyang, however, has not responded to the proposal so far.

Hua also added, in a press briefing, that under the current circumstances, the key to restarting dialogue is to resolve the DPRK's "legitimate concerns," which is why the US should demonstrate its sincerity by presenting an appealing plan.

She affirmed that the rollback terms of the UNSC's resolutions related to North Korea should be invoked as soon as possible and that adjustments must be made to relevant sanctions, namely those related to humanitarian and livelihood aspects.

Hua explained that regardless of how the situation was to evolve, China holds that parties should "exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, build mutual trust, and settle the issue through dialogue and consultation."

Dialogue between the two countries hit a dead-end when the failed summit in Hanoi in February 2019, when former US President Donald Trump demanded more decisive steps from the DPRK to give up its nuclear weapons. North Korea, on the other hand, accused the US of failing to fulfill prior commitments. 

The US, which tested an air-breathing hypersonic weapon on Tuesday, “condemned” North Korea’s new hypersonic missile test, which took place on Wednesday, and advised Pyongyang to engage in dialogue.

The US State Department stated that “This launch is in violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions and poses a threat to North Korea’s neighbors and the international community.”