Trump 'disappointed' with China after North Korea missile test
US President Donald Trump says he is
"very disappointed" with China for not doing enough to stop North
Korea's weapons programme.
Writing on Twitter, he said he would not allow China to "do nothing" about the reclusive state.
His comments came a day after Pyongyang test-fired its second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a month.
It later claimed the test proved that the entire US was within striking range of its weaponry.
On Saturday, two US B-1 bombers conducted exercises over the Korean peninsula with South Korean and Japanese planes.
The
move was a "direct response" to the North's two ICBM launches, and
"part of the continuing demonstration of ironclad US commitment to our
allies", the US Pacific Command said.
"North Korea remains the
most urgent threat to regional stability," Gen Terrence J O'Shaughnessy,
Pacific Air Forces commander, added in a statement.
I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet...— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017
...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017
On Saturday, China condemned the test launch and urged restraint on all sides.
But Mr Trump voiced frustration at Beijing's response, linking the US trade deficit with China with policy on North Korea.
"I
am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed
them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade, yet they
do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk," he wrote in two
consecutive tweets.
"We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem!"
China, which shares a land border with North Korea, is its closest economic ally and trading partner.
President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping discussed
North Korea during talks earlier this year, after which US officials
said the two countries were working on "a range of options" to rein in
Pyongyang.
But since then the North has carried out two ICBM tests.
After Saturday's launch, South Korea said it was concerned the
North may have made "a significant advancement in technology", adding
that the missile test was "unique in its time and place of launch".
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the threat to his country's security was "grave and real".
The North has repeatedly tested missiles in breach of UN resolutions.
ICBMs
can reach altitudes well outside the earth's atmosphere. Using sharp
trajectories with high altitudes allows North Korea to avoid firing over
neighbouring countries.
Despite the ongoing tests, experts
believe the North does not yet have the capability to miniaturise a
nuclear warhead, fit it on to a long-range missile, and ensure it is
protected until delivery to the target.
Others, however, believe
that at the rate it is going, Pyongyang may overcome these challenges
and develop a nuclear weapon within five to 10 years that could strike
the US.
BBC
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