Xi Jinping Hopes France and North Korea Restart Talks

President Xi Jinping
President Xi Jinping (photo: www.gov.cn/)
By M. GraceSeptember 8th, 2017

Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly said on Friday, September 8, that French President Emmanuel Macron and France could play a constructive role in restarting talks on North Korea after speaking to the French president on the phone as reported by the state media.

"The Korean peninsula nuclear issue, in the end, can only be resolved through peaceful means, including through dialogue and consultations," Xi reportedly said in a telephone call with Macron.

Macron said that France was working to maintain the peace and stability on the peninsula and he added that he valued China's role in resolving the issue.

It can be recalled that China hosted the on-gain, off-again six party talks on North Korea which includes Russia, United States, Japan, North and South Korea in 2008.

The tension on North Korea and the Korean peninsula has escalated as young leader of Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un stepped up the development of weapons in defiance of United Nations sactions. The country also tested few string of missiles this year which includes one that flew over Japan.

"Experts believe the isolated regime is close to its goal of developing a powerful nuclear weapon capable of reaching the United States, something U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to prevent," New York Post reported.

Xi also discussed North Korea in calls with Trump on Wednesday and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday.

It can be recalled that Donald Trump also urged China to do more to rein in North Korea. China reportedly, in part, blames South Korea and United States for the heightened tensions, citing the frequent military exercises and deployment of the anti-missile system, THAAD.

 

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