Chinese state media hit back in unprecedented war of words with North Korea
Pyongyang mixes up usual sabre-rattling by taking direct aim at China
The war of words between North Korea and its main ally China has escalated, with the communist neighbours exchanging volleys through state media amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula.
The row, prompted by Beijing edging closer to Washington over possible tougher responses to Pyongyang’s mounting nuclear threat, coincided with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s pledge on Wednesday to mount a “pressure campaign” on the North by “leaning hard” on China.
In what mainland diplomatic pundits described as a sign of a deepening rift between Beijing and Pyongyang over the reclusive regime’s nuclear brinkmanship, North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency issued the first direct criticism of China in years on Wednesday, warning the nation of unspecified “grave consequences”.
The Global Times, published by the Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily, fought back on Thursday, dismissing Pyongyang’s broadside as a “hyper-aggressive” move motivated by “nationalist passion” and “irrational logic” over its dangerous nuclear armament programmes.
The Chinese foreign ministry weighed in, indicating relations would not be affected by the spat.
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China’s stance on North Korea nuclear’s programme and the development of ties with Pyongyang was “consistent and clear”.
