Beijing’s omission of the term “denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula” from a new white paper suggested its “tacit acceptance” of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state while prioritising its strategic competition with Washington, analysts said.
Last week, China released a white paper on the country’s arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, outlining its policies on national defence and nuclear policy and updating a previous paper from 2005.
One notable shift in Beijing’s position on the Korean peninsula was its omission of its traditional support for the peninsula’s denuclearisation within the paper’s overall “non-proliferation” clause.
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“With regard to the Korean peninsula issue, China adopts an impartial stance and adheres to the right approach of always working for the peace, stability and prosperity of the peninsula and the resolution of the Korean peninsula issue through political means,” according to the document.
“China calls on relevant parties to desist from an approach based on aggressive deterrence and coercion, restart dialogue and negotiations, and play a constructive role in resolving the Korean peninsula issue through political means and realising lasting peace and stability in the peninsula.”
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The omission of the term “denuclearisation” suggested Beijing had made a significant departure from its previous position, according to analysts.