China supports using detente to address Korean Peninsula issues

A Chinese ambassador to the United Nations on Monday called on all parties of the Korean Peninsula issue to use detente and create favorable conditions to resume dialogue.

At present, the situation on the Korean Peninsula is in a spiral escalation, and "China is deeply concerned about the intensifying tensions," Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at a Security Council meeting on the issue.

"China hopes that relevant parties will jointly promote the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue, meet each other halfway, and refrain from any action that may exacerbate tension," said Zhang.

"The escalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula is not in the interest of any party, and it is also what China does not want to see," he said.

The world today is full of uncertainties, and the peninsula cannot afford the danger of further deterioration of the situation, Zhang pointed out.

Relevant parties must keep in mind the overall peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, take practical measures, play a positive role, and make every effort to promote a political settlement of the issue, he said.

"We hope that all parties concerned will remain calm, exercise restraint, be cautious in their words and deeds, and refrain from any action that may exacerbate tension or lead to miscalculation," said Zhang.

He said the US should demonstrate sincerity by proposing realistic and feasible solutions, and earnestly respond to the legitimate and reasonable concerns of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) so as to create conditions for the resumption of meaningful dialogue.

"We must be committed to solving the Korean Peninsula issue, insist on advancing the denuclearization process on the peninsula, and at the same time take practical actions in stopping military exercises and easing sanctions against the DPRK," he said.

He also pointed out that the Security Council should play a constructive role on the issue, instead of relying solely on strong rhetoric or pressure.

"The council's discussions and deliberations should contribute to a detente, rather than fueling escalation. They should create space for diplomatic efforts, instead of creating divisions," he said.

Zhang said China and Russia have jointly tabled a resolution on the DPRK with the intention to ease the humanitarian situation on the ground and create a favorable atmosphere for mutual trust among all parties and the resumption of dialogue.

"We hope that council members will actively consider it," he said.

"As a close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China is highly concerned about the situation there. China remains committed to maintaining peace and stability and achieving denuclearization on the peninsula and resolving issues through dialogue and consultation," said Zhang.

"We once again call on all parties concerned to face the root causes of the prolonged impasse on the peninsula issue, follow the dual track approach and the principle of phased and synchronized actions, address each other's concerns in a balanced manner through dialogue and consultation, and promote the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue. China is willing to continue to play a constructive role to this end," the envoy said.

The DPRK on Friday test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile into the waters east of the Korean Peninsula, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Saturday.

Meanwhile, South Korea and the US on Saturday conducted joint air drills near the peninsula, involving two US strategic bombers, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.