China welcomes Washington's peaceful approach to N Korea

China has expressed a positive response to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's assurance that Washington does not seek to topple the North Korean government and is looking forward to resolve standing issues with Pyongyang through dialog.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing "attached great importance" to Tillerson's assurance, saying Beijing had always supported resolving dispute via dialog.

Wang said in their talks the sides need to “meet each other half way to find a fundamental plan to resolve the security concerns of the parties through equal dialog.”

"While (Washington) exerts pressure on North Korea, it should leave some alternatives for Pyongyang and make it believe that abandoning its nuclear and missile programs will do more good than insisting on this path," Wang pointed out.

"Regarding North Korea's recent missile launch, once again in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, China has
already clearly expressed our opposition," Wang said.

"At the same time, we also call on all parties not to take any actions that will lead to an escalation in tensions," He emphasized.

Tillerson assured that Washington pursued a peaceful solution.

The United States does not seek regime change, the collapse of the regime, an accelerated reunification of the peninsula or an excuse to send the US military into North Korea, Tillerson assured.

However, Tillerson reiterated that Washington seeks to exert peaceful pressure on Pyonyang to encourage the country to give up its missile and nuclear weapons program.

Prior to Tillerson's comments, US President Donald Trump had held China responsible for the escalation of tensions on the Korean Pennisula by nurturing North Korea.

“I am very disappointed in China. Our foolish past leaders have allowed them to make hundreds of billions of dollars a year in trade,” Trump tweeted recently, “yet ... they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk.”

“We will no longer allow this to continue,” he added. “China could easily solve this problem!”

China says it shouldn’t be held responsible for resolving the North Korean nuclear standoff alone and has said other countries are shirking their responsibilities in the effort to reduce tensions.

On Saturday, Pyongyang said it had conducted a fresh test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the second in a month.

North Korea's nuclear and missile tests have met with international condemnation.

The United Nations has slapped harsh sanctions on the country over its numerous tests.

North Korea, however, says its nuclear and missile development programs act as a deterrent against US aggression and expansionist policies in the region.

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