China has come under pressure to help stop Kim’s pursuit of more powerful nuclear weapons, with the U.S. setting up a missile-defense system in South Korea that Beijing views as a threat. China has suspended the operation of around 40 Lotte Mart stores after the South Korean retail conglomerate agreed to sell land for the system, and ordered travel agents to stop selling tour packages to South Korea. North Korea warned this week that U.S.-South Korea war exercises were leading the region to the brink of a “nuclear disaster.”Wang said there was a chance for a breakthrough, if both the U.S. and North Korea halt moves seen as aggressive. The U.S. has pushed China to implement sanctions against North Korea, and has ruled out talks until Kim halts provocations. “If the U.S. shows the willingness to downscale its military drills with the South, China can be in a better position to persuade the North back to the negotiation table,” Shi said.

Source: National Post March 08, 2017 17:03 UTC