US President Barack Obama has taken yet another shot at persuading Chinese president Xi Jinping to bring more pressure to bear on Pyongyang in terms of North Korea's recent announcement of a nuclear test last month.
North Korea is prohibited by UNSC resolutions from developing nuclear weapons or ballistic missiles but Pyongyang has often flaunted their efforts to create a nuclear program.
“In our conversations at a diplomatic level with the Chinese in particular, we encouraged them to work with us and develop potential options,” said White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said. “They have unique influence over the North Korean regime.”
Historically, China has been the real ally and has become a quintessential trading partner to the pariah nation and appears reluctant to threaten unilateral sanctions.
The US, however, is considering a number of options the White House says it has available to them under the UN resolutions. In addition to the nuclear test last month, the UN International Maritime Organization also announced North Korean authorities notified them of an upcoming missile launch to put a satellite into orbit. The combination of nuclear tests and such rocket capabilities has Washington concerned.
Beijing, however, has expressed a greater desire for dialog with Pyongyang.
