MOSCOW, October 8 (RIA Novosti) - Chinese media has criticized North Korea for its nuclear activities, calling for Pyongyang to stop their nuclear weapons program and improve efforts to reconstruct its weak economy and diplomatic ties with other countries, BBC reports.
"Because of the lack of integrity, its [North Korea's] verbal statements are not going to convince any country […] It tried to gain attention by planning the top official's visit to Seoul, however, this is meaningless as the most important question is whether Pyongyang will give up its nuclear program," said an article in the Beijing News. The article also stressed that North Korea should give up its provocation strategy and build relations to other countries on mutual trust and benefit.
The Global Times cited political expert Jin Qiangy saying that "China is unlikely to offer strong support to North Korea due to its lingering nuclear issue". He also added that tensions between two countries will urge China to "seek breakthroughs in diplomacy with countries like Russia, Japan and South Korea".
According to the Korea Herald, North Korea is seeking a renewal of the six-party negotiations, attended by North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the US. The talks reached a stalemate in 2009, with North Korea proclaiming its intention to continue nuclear enrichment. Since then, the negotiation process has not been resumed as South Korea and the US call for Pyongyang to fulfill its denuclearization obligations.