Facing rare criticism from its close ally for failing to stand by it in its hour of crisis, China today sought to stave off pressure from the US for not cracking hard on reclusive North Korea, saying the crux of the problem was the dispute between Washington and Pyongyang.
Refuting President Donald Trump's remarks that China could solve the security challenge posed by North Korea "very easily if they want to," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said "the crux of the North Korean nuclear issue is the problem between the United States and North Korea".
"We hope the relevant parties can shoulder their responsibilities, play the role they should and together with China play a constructive role for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and for its denuclearisation," he told a media briefing here, answering a spate of questions on North Korea tensions.
He also tried to deflect criticism from North Korea itself for banning imports of coal from North Korea as per UN sanctions, after Pyongyang tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile raising concerns in the US, Japan and South Korea.
State media in North Korea, regarded as Beijing's close ally, hit back at Beijing, accusing it of "dancing to the tune" of the United States.
The commentary published by the Korean Central News Agency did not mention China by name or the coal ban, but referred to a "neighbouring country" which often claims to be friendly.
Geng tried to play down the criticism from Pyongyang and said the UN sanctions were a clear signal of opposition from the international community about North Korea's nuclear programmes and that China was obliged to enforce them.
"We are willing to work with North Korea to promote the stable and healthy development of relations," Geng said, adding North Korea was well aware of China's position on its nuclear programme.
Geng also declined to go into the Malaysia's conclusion that Kim Jong-nam half-brother of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un was killed by "VX nerve agent," declared by the UN as a Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD).
He also parried questions aboutKim Jong-nam'sfamily members residing in Macau reportedly under the protection of the Chinese government.
"As per VX and nerve gas and WMD so far we have seen preliminary information released by the Malaysian side. There has been no conclusion in this incident," he said.
Meanwhile, state-run Global Times said "it would not faze Beijing in the least if Pyongyang's state-run news agency continues to complain about the imposed sanctions".
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