A leading Chinese newspaper has urged Beijing to oppose North Korea's nuclear power status proclaimed in its revised constitution.
The Global Times, an English-language Chinese newspaper under the People's Daily, said in its June 2 editorial that any legalization of North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons can stimulate South Korea and Japan, and prod Taiwan to demand its right to nuclear arms, triggering a chain reaction of nuclear armament in Northeast Asia.
In its revised constitution, North Korea proclaims itself as a nuclear armed state, according to its full text seen by Yonhap News Agency last Wednesday on the North's "Naenara" Web site.
Seoul and Washington have immediately dismissed the claim, saying they would not recognize North Korea as a nuclear power.
The Global Times editorial is the first unofficial response from China, as the Beijing government has kept mum on the issue so far.
"China should not join the two (Seoul and Washington) and help them exert pressure on North Korea. However, it is also necessary for China to criticize North Korea's latest move and oppose its intention to legalize its nuclear status," said the editorial posted on the paper's website.
"China needs to make efforts to deter North Korea from possessing nuclear capabilities, or at least openly oppose North Korea's move to attain them," said the editorial, noting that the historical friendship between the two should facilitate their frank communication.
The paper went on to clearly say that it is not in China's interests to be held hostage by North Korea's radical moves.
"At the moment, the most urgent thing is to prevent North Korea from conducting a third nuclear test, the consequences of which would be unimaginable for Northeast Asia. Besides trying to persuade North Korea, China should publicly voice its opposition at once," it said. (Yonhap)