China recently omitted the phrase "supports the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" from its newly released white paper on arms control. The South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong reported on December 6 that some analysts interpret this as China effectively recognizing North Korea's nuclear armament.
The State Council of China published a white paper titled "China's Arms Control, Disarmament and Nonproliferation in the New Era" on November 27.
The 80th Anniversary Celebration Military Parade of the Workers' Party of Korea was held last October at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
The "Nuclear Nonproliferation" section of the white paper states, "China maintains a fair stance and the right direction regarding the Korean Peninsula issue, has always been committed to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the Peninsula, and is dedicated to the political resolution process of the Peninsula issue."
Unlike the 2005 white paper on disarmament, in which China declared, "China supports the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones by relevant countries in the Korean Peninsula, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other regions," the latest white paper has removed the reference to "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
Previously, in the 2017 white paper on "China's Policies on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation," China explicitly stated its "firm opposition" to North Korea's nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches. At that time, the Chinese side said, "China will continue to work together with the international community to promote the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and achieve long-term stability on the Peninsula and in Northeast Asia."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
