China urges ‘full denuclearization’ as Kim-Trump meet

This Wednesday, May 23, 2018 satellite file image provided by DigitalGlobe, shows the Punggye-ri test site in North Korea. North Korea has carried out what it says is the demolition of its nuclear test site in the presence of foreign journalists. The demolition happened Thursday, May 24, 2018, at the site deep in the mountains of the North’s sparsely populated northeast. The planned closing was previously announced by leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his planned summit with US President Donald Trump on June 12, 2018. (DigitalGlobe via AP, File)

Beijing, China – China praised on Tuesday the summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as historic and called for “full denuclearization” to resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula.

The fact that the two leaders “can sit together and have equal talks has important and positive meaning, and is creating a new history,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters.

“The crux of the peninsula nuclear issue is a security issue. The most important, difficult part of this security issue is for the United States and North Korea to sit down to find a way to resolution via equal talks,” Wang said.

“Resolving the nuclear issue, on the one hand of course is denuclearization, full denuclearization. At the same time, there needs to be a peace mechanism for the peninsula, to resolve North Korea’s reasonable security concerns,” Wang added.

Beijing is Pyongyang’s sole major ally and main trading partner but it has backed a slew of United Nations sanctions to punish the North over its nuclear and missile tests.

Despite tensions, the Cold War-era allies have sought to mend ties recently, and Kim borrowed an Air China plane to travel to the landmark summit in Singapore.   /kga

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