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China's Xi Jinping warns against instability on Korean peninsula

The Chinese president said disturbances wouldn’t be allowed.

By Elizabeth Shim
Chinese President Xi Jinping, shown here last month in Washington, said Thursday any "disturbance" on the Korean peninsula would not be tolerated. File Pool Photo by Ron Sachs/UPI
Chinese President Xi Jinping, shown here last month in Washington, said Thursday any "disturbance" on the Korean peninsula would not be tolerated. File Pool Photo by Ron Sachs/UPI | License Photo

BEIJING, April 28 (UPI) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping told a ministerial gathering in Beijing his government would not tolerate any instability on the Korean peninsula.

Speaking at the fifth Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, or CICA, Xi said China is fully committed to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and to its peace and stability, state news agency Xinhua reported Thursday.

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"Any disturbance on the Korean peninsula or other neighboring countries would absolutely not be allowed," Xi said, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.

Xi added all countries should take preventative measures against the escalation of tensions.

Twenty-six member countries, including Russia and South Korea, were in attendance.

North Korea did not send a representative – but it was unclear whether Pyongyang had received an invitation in the wake of worsening relations with Beijing.

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se told Yonhap the ministers issued a declaration condemning North Korea's nuclear provocations.

The statement "proves North Korea is completely isolated, and has been abandoned by the international community," Yun said.

The foreign ministers represented countries that have previously maintained friendly relations with Pyongyang and the universal condemnation of the North's policy is significant, Yun added.

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The declaration addressed all major North Korea provocations of 2016, including its fourth nuclear test in January, its long-range missile launch in February, the failed launch of a Musudan mid-range missile on April 15, and the firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile on April 25.

The statement is also the first of its kind to be issued at CICA on North Korea, according to South Korea press.

North Korea's diplomatic isolation has grown with provocations.

Pyongyang's Seventh Party Congress might be a domestic affair with either no or low-level foreign envoys in attendance.

North Korea had extended invitations to friendly countries but none had responded, according to sources.

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