China backs US on nuclear security cooperation
(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) >Quelling doubts concerning its relationship with North Korea China has taken a decisive stance by declaring that it will support the US in efforts to strengthen nuclear security.
According to the White House China and the US worked out the Joint Statement on Nuclear Security Cooperation during the fourth Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington this week. The summit outlined steps China would take in converting Miniature Neutron Source Reactors that the state has sold to outside parties declared commitment to reducing nuclear smuggling and commented on the recent completion and official opening of the joint nuclear security Center of Excellence (COE) in Beijing China.
While the summit was taking place South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that North Korea appeared to have test fired a ballistic missile off its eastern shores.
In response to the missile test US President Barack Obama declared that he and Chinese President Xi Jingping were seeking to agree upon “how we can discourage action like nuclear missile tests that escalate tensions and violate international obligations”. According to BBC Xi declared it critical that all respective parties “fully and strictly” implemented newly-agreed-upon UN sanctions on North Korea.
China’s previous lack of compliance in carrying through sanctions imposed on North Korea initially led many to question whether it would back the most recent UN decision. China is one of North Korea’s most important trading partners and business deals with China supply much of the country’s GDP - thus indirectly fueling its nuclear programs. China’s strong declaration of commitment has received warm welcome in Washington.
Not all is well between the two countries however. On the same day that China agreed to cooperate with the US on North Korea Xi also issued a warning that “China will firmly safeguard the sovereignty and related rights in the South China Sea” and will not tolerate US interference in the region according to Xinhua News. It’s clear that China is willing to work with the US - as long as it views this as being in the country’s best interests.
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