China worried by North Korea’s threats of missile tests, nuclear war

China’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday that it was seriously concerned by recent comments made by North Korean officials warning of further missile tests and the possibility of nuclear war.

Addressing a press briefing, ministry spokesperson Lu Kang added that China was resolutely opposed to any words or actions that could further raise tensions.

NAN reports that China on Tuesday called on the US and North Korea to find a peaceful solution to rising tensions after a war of words erupted after the North conducted a series of missile and nuclear tests in defiance of UN sanctions.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi told reporters in Beijing that the standoff between the two nations could only be resolved by diplomacy.

Also on Tuesday, US vice president Mike Pence met Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, following meetings in South Korea with Hwang Kyo-ahn, the acting president.

Pence has repeatedly warned that “all options are on the table” when dealing with Pyongyang.

He reassured Japan of the US’ commitment to reining in North Korea’s nuclear and missile ambitions after warning that its own strikes in Syria and Afghanistan showed the strength of its resolve.

North Korea regularly threatens to destroy Japan, South Korea and the US and it showed no let-up in its defiance after conducting a reportedly failed missile test on Sunday.

North Korea poses the “most dangerous and urgent threat” to the Asia-Pacific region, Pence said Wednesday aboard a US aircraft carrier stationed in Japan.

“North Korea is the most dangerous and urgent threat to the peace and security” of the region, Pence told US and Japanese Navy personnel as he visited the USS Ronald Regan at a US naval base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo.

“As (U.S.) President (Donald) Trump has made clear to the world, the era of strategic patience is over,” the vice president said.

However, he also said the US will “continue to work diligently” with Japan, China and other allies in the region to “bring economic and diplomatic pressure to bear on” North Korea.

He reassured Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday that the US stands behind Japan in the face of a nuclear threat from North Korea.

“We are with you 100 per cent,” he said.