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Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying

Although the US reduced the number of troops participating in its joint military exercises with South Korea that began on Aug. 21, China said that this was, “still not nearly enough” to relax tensions on the Korean Peninsula.　

“Clearly, there are signs that the tensions on the Korean Peninsula are being gradually relieved thanks to the efforts of various countries,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying during the regular press conference on Aug. 21 in response to a question on the subject.　

“We think that South Korea and the US holding joint exercises is not beneficial to easing current tensions or efforts by all sides to promote talks,” Hua went on. “This is still not nearly enough, and the situation remains tense. We hope that the parties directly involved, including North Korea and the US, will make a greater effort.”　

Hua reaffirmed China‘s proposal of “dual suspension,” which refers to North Korea halting its development of nuclear weapons and missiles and South Korea and the US halting their joint military exercises. “We once again urge South Korea and the US and other related countries to seriously consider our proposal of ’dual suspension‘ and for them to take constructive action to ease tensions and that is beneficial for quickly resuming talks and finding an appropriate solution to the issue of nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula,” Hua said. “Under the present circumstances, we think that this is the most fair, reasonable, practical and feasible approach.”　

In related news, a number of events related to the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China, which falls on Aug. 24, will be hosted separately by either South Korea or China instead of being jointly sponsored by South Korea and China. When asked about this, Hua said, “China values its relationship with South Korea. As close neighbors, stable and healthy relations are in the interest of both sides.”　

“However, we urge South Korea to squarely face China’s reasonable and legitimate concerns about some major issues and to take more constructive actions to develop relations and to promote mutual trust between our two peoples,” Hua said. An event planned by the Chinese People‘s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries for Aug. 23 and an event organized by the South Korean Embassy for Aug. 24 will be held separately in Beijing.

By Kim Oi-hyun, Beijing correspondent

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