China Calls for Restraint Amid Rising Tensions on Korean Peninsula

China Calls for Restraint Amid Rising Tensions on Korean Peninsula

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The Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, urging all parties to exercise restraint and maintain peace and stability in the region.

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Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, addressed reporters on Wednesday, stating that China opposes any actions or rhetoric that may exacerbate the situation. “We have taken note of the relevant reports,” Mao said. “Maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is in the common interest of all parties.”

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The remarks came following the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) decision on Tuesday to suspend a military agreement with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The ROK’s suspension of the September 19 military agreement, signed in 2018 during an inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang, was in response to the DPRK allegedly sending hundreds of balloons carrying waste material across the border, according to Yonhap News Agency.

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“The situation on the peninsula has been tense recently, with confrontations intensifying,” Mao noted. “We are concerned about the current developments.”

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China has consistently advocated for the parties involved to improve their relations through dialogue and to avoid actions that could further escalate tensions. “We hope that the concerned parties will remain calm, exercise restraint, be prudent in their words, and play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula,” Mao added.

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The 2018 military agreement between the ROK and the DPRK aimed to reduce hostilities by prohibiting all hostile acts across their shared border. The recent suspension by the ROK marks a significant setback in inter-Korean relations.

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The escalation underscores the fragile nature of peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula and highlights the importance of diplomatic engagement. China’s call for restraint emphasizes its role in regional stability and its interest in fostering a peaceful environment conducive to dialogue.

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(With input from Xinhua)

Reference(s):

China opposes acts that exacerbate Korean Peninsula tensions

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