The North called the us action in Syria “absolutely unpardonable” and said it proves that its nuclear weapons are justified to protect the country against Washington’s “evermore reckless moves for a war”.
Wong noted that the Trump-Xi summit came in the wake of usa air strikes in Syria, a development that is expected to affect relations between the United States and Russian Federation and ties between the United States and China.
China’s Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs Wu Dawei is expected to discuss the North’s nuclear issue with his South Korean counterpart, according to the South Korean foreign ministry.
In the interview, McMaster said the objective of the strike on Syria was for Washington to “send a very strong political message” for the first time to al-Assad “and to his sponsors who are enabling his campaign of mass murder against his own civilians”.
The swift action in Syria could be interpreted as a signal especially to defiant nuclear-armed North Korea – and by extension, its ally China – as well as other countries like Iran and Russian Federation of Trump’s willingness to use military force.
A full US Navy strike group, including the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, has been diverted from Australia to the Western Pacific, in what many are calling increased vigilance on the part of the US, as North Korea continues to test newer, and more deadly, weapons in the region.
China has vehemently objected to the deployment of a Thaad battery in Korea, saying it goes against its national security interests, undertaking a series of economic retaliatory measures against Seoul.
Regarding the United States airstrike on Syria, Tillerson said that Xi told Trump that he “understood that such a response was necessary when people are killing children”, reported CNN. “The relationship developed by President Xi and myself I think is outstanding”, Trump told reporters.
Both the United States and China differ on their approach to resolve the internal strife in Syria. His remarks came despite campaign accusations about China stealing jobs in the US and manipulating its currency.
Trump pressed the Chinese leader to do more to curb nuclear weapons development in North Korea after Kim Jong-un fired another missile into the Sea of Japan. “I think they will view him with respect”.
President Xi said more soberly: “We have engaged in deeper understanding, and have built a trust”.
“My delegation has been warmly received and welcomed by President Trump”.
Ahead of the summit, a bipartisan group of US senators sent a letter to Trump asking him to tell China to end its “unwarranted and unfair economic retaliation against South Korea” for the deployment of the Thaad system. Putin, a staunch ally of Assad, regarded the USA action as “aggression against a sovereign nation” on a “made-up pretext”, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
On Friday, Trump told the press that he felt there was “tremendous progress” in his discussions with Xi.
“This escalation is short-sighted and will lead to more dead civilians, more refugees, the strengthening of al-Qaida and other terrorists and a possible nuclear war between the United States and Russian Federation”.