BEIJING – China said it resolutely opposed North Korea’s nuclear test yesterday but is unlikely to follow up with strong action because its influence is limited and it believes the United States and South Korea share responsibility for growing tensions in the region.
China, Pyongyang’s main diplomatic ally, is key in any effort to rein in North Korea’s nuclear program. But it has been infuriated by the isolated nation’s nuclear and missile tests and has signed up to increasingly tough United Nations sanctions.
Beijing has also repeatedly expressed anger since the United States and South Korea decided in July to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system in the South to counter missile and nuclear threats from North Korea.
China says this is a threat to its own security and will do nothing to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table on its nuclear program. (Reuters)