China hopes for N. Korean envoy’s visit to ease mounting tension

PanARMENIAN.Net - China hopes that this week's visit by a senior North Korean envoy can ease tension in the region and help spur efforts to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday, May 24, according to Reuters.

Choe Ryong-hae, a special envoy of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, met Chinese officials in the highest-ranking visit by an official from Pyongyang in about six months.

"We hope that this visit can ameliorate the present tension on the Korean peninsula and give new impetus to pushing for the denuclearization of the peninsula," ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily briefing.

On Friday, Choe met General Fan Chonglong, vice chairman of China's powerful Central Military Commission, who warned Choe about tension on the peninsula threatening peace.

Choe responded by saying peace could not be assured although North Korea wanted it in order to build the country, and it was willing to work with all sides in solving problems.

On Thursday, Choe told another senior Chinese official that North Korea was willing to return to talks, although the prospect for those in the near future is dim.

Tension has been mounting between North Korea and China even though China is the North's most important economic and political backer. Ties have been hurt between the two supposed allies by the North's third nuclear test in February, despite China's disapproval, and by China agreeing to U.N. sanctions on the North in response and starting to put a squeeze on North Korean banks.