REUTERS
A government-run newspaper said in an editorial today that Beijing
should “respond with a firm hand” if its interests are threatened.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The nationalistic Global Times said: “If the US and South Korea
carry out strikes and try to overthrow the North Korean regime and
change the political pattern of the Korean Peninsula, China will
prevent them from doing so.”
The paper issued the chilling threat as it warned both the US and
North Korea were playing a “reckless game” that could lead to
“miscalculations and a strategic ‘war'”.
It said: “Beijing is not able to persuade Washington or Pyongyang
to back down at this time.
“It needs to make clear its stance to all sides and make them understand
that when their actions jeopardise China’s interests, China
will respond with a firm hand.”
The commentary came after Trump warned Kim Jong-un he faced
threaten the US with his missile and nuclear programmes.
That prompted a defiant Pyongyang to threaten a missile attack
on Guam, a tiny US territory in the Pacific that is home to major
US air and naval facilities.
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But the Global Times also had a warning for Pyongyang – calling on China’s leaders to remain on the sidelines if North Korea strikes at the US first.
The editorial said: “China should also make clear that if North Korea launches missiles that threaten US soil first and the US retaliates, China will stay neutral.”
Meanwhile, UK Government insiders revealed Britain would play no part in any military action against North Korean despot Kim Jong-un.
Theresa May’s deputy has called for a de-escalation of tensions — but it was immediately slammed as “weak and ill-judged.”
First Secretary of State Damian Green said it is “obviously” in Britain’s interests that the stand-off between Washington and Pyongyang does not lead to conflict.
Speaking in Edinburgh, he urged Mr Trump to be “sensible” and go through the UN before acting on his “fire and fury” threat.
A senior Government source insisted the UN was as far as the UK would go in support of a possible military strike by the US.
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It came as North Korea issued a renewed threat to launch a missile strike on the US Pacific island territory of Guam.
Asked whether Mr Trump was wise to threaten to unleash “fire and fury” in retaliation, Mr Green said: “I think the sensible way for people to proceed is to work through the UN process, that’s what the British Government has been supporting and will continue to support.”
EPA
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However the Ministry of Defence and No10’s position was immediately slammed as “weak” by military experts.
Ex-Commander of British Forces Afghanistan Colonel Richard Kemp said the UK “should support the US against North Korea in sanctions, diplomatic pressure and military action.”
He added: “Failure by the UK to stand by its most important ally strengthens the North Korean dictator and weakens the West.
“To rule out supporting the US at this stage is weak, ill-judged and undermines deterrence against a dangerous threat.”
REUTERS
AFP
But the stance was welcomed by the new Chairman of the powerful commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat.
Comparing the crisis to the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, the Tory rising star said: “Kennedy and Khrushchev showed that nuclear tensions can be unwound by measured and thoughtful action.”
He added: “I look forward to the US and North Korea working with regional partners including China to reduce tensions and end the nuclear brinkmanship.”
(The Sun, UK)
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