Upon arriving for talks in Seoul this week, China’s envoy for Korean Peninsula affairs said that Beijing is concerned about the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula, adding that manifestations of tensions and their root causes must be addressed.
North Korea has conducted a series of weapons tests this year, from hypersonic missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles, amid stalled denuclearization talks.
North Korea has not tested ICBMs or nuclear weapons since 2017. Officials in Seoul and Washington say there are indications of preparations for a new nuclear test.
Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese government’s special representative for Korean Peninsula affairs, told reporters at Seoul airport late Sunday that the “legitimate and reasonable concerns of all parties” must be acknowledged for a political settlement.
“We call on all parties to exercise calm and restraint, and we do not agree with any party’s actions that could lead to an escalation of tension,” he said in a summary of his remarks on Twitter.
On his first visit to South Korea since taking office in April 2021, Liu is scheduled to meet his South Korean counterpart, nuclear envoy Noh Kyo-dok, on Tuesday. He may also meet with representatives of South Korean President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, who will take office on May 10, Yonhap News Agency reported.
