Beijing expresses concern over rising North Korea tensions

China is keeping a close eye on escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula stemming from the North’s successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching targets across the globe.

Liu Xiaoming, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Korean Peninsula Affairs, expressed these concerns after arriving in Seoul on Sunday for a series of meetings with South Korean officials.

The "legitimate and reasonable concerns of all parties" need to be acknowledged for there to be a political settlement, the Chinese envoy to South Korea told reporters, according to Reuters.

Liu took to Twitter later that day to reemphasize his comments to the press, stating: "I stressed that China’s position is consistent and clear. China is concerned about the tense situation We call on all parties to stay cool-headed and exercise restraint, and we disapprove [of] actions by any party that could escalate tension.”

Took a few questions from ROK press upon my arrival in Seoul. They asked about the purpose of my visit, how do I see DPRK’s increasingly tough actions and nuclear & missile activities, and what role will China play to maintain peace and stability on the #KoreanPeninsula.🇨🇳🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/BoCDID5D1G

— 刘晓明Liu Xiaoming (@AmbLiuXiaoMing) May 1, 2022

The envoy used his first visit to South Korea since taking office last year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of relations between it and China with the intent of enhancing “bilateral communication and cooperation” toward peace on the peninsula.

Liu is set to meet his counterpart, Noh Kyu-duk, on Tuesday, and may also meet representatives of South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, reports Reuters.

The conservative Yoon ran on a platforming promising to take a harder line on North Korea than current president Moon Jae-in, who pushed hard for reconciliation between the two countries.

Liu asserted that “China has played a positive role in addressing the Peninsula issue and will continue to do so in its own ways,” but that the key to resolving Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile activities is in the hands of North Korea and the United States.

The pair were involved in a recent diplomatic spat where Kim Yo-Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, called the South Korean defense minister a “scum-like guy” for making comments about “preemptive strikes” against Pyongyang following its ICBM test.