Posted on 08/11/2017 7:26:49 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
The Global Times also cited reports that the Pentagon has prepared plans for B-1B strategic bombers to make preemptive strikes on North Korea's missile sites, and a strongly worded ultimatum from Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis that North Korea should not consider “actions that would lead to the end of its regime and destruction of its people.”
The paper’s comments also reflect the 1961 Sino-North Korean Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, which obliges China to intervene if North Korea is subject to unprovoked aggression — but not necessarily if Pyongyang starts a war.
“The key point is in the first half of the sentence; China opposes North Korea testing missiles in the waters around Guam,” said Cheng Xiaohe, a North Korea expert at Renmin University of China in Beijing.
With the situation on the Korea Peninsula sliding dangerously toward the point of no return, Chinese media are starting to declare their positions on any potential war, he said. “Secondly, in a half-official way, China is starting to review and clarify the 1961 treaty.”
China has become deeply frustrated with the regime in Pyongyang, and genuinely wants to see a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. But it has always refused to do anything that might destabilize or topple a regime which has long been both ally and buffer state.
That’s because Beijing does not want to see a unified Korean state allied to the United States right up against its border: indeed, hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers died during the 1950-53 Korean War to prevent that happening.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I take it another way.
China is indirectly saying that they ARE with North Korea, if the USA attacks them.
Offer removal of US forces if china allows south to reunite with north and take brunt of costs.
I know it’s a late comment, but I couldn’t resist...
From the article:
“The U.S. Navy destroyer, USS John S. McCain, traveled close to Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands on Thursday...”
How ironic is that? One of Trump’s biggest critics is annoying the Chinese...
When I was there in 74-75, the rumor was that nukes were already there, but that the US retains the “keys”.
Putting McLame on the destroyer, would be even better.
With all of the leaks and hacking it’s possible the Chinese know that to be true now and that’s why they armed North Korea.
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