The U.S. is pleased by China’s steps to stop North Korea provocative nuclear program but it will be unacceptable to Washington for Beijing to militarize the islands in the South China Sea, Jim Mattis US Secretary of Defense said at a press briefing on Saturday.
China's help
Mattis’ statement indicates that the Trump administration is looking forward to working with China to deter Pyongyang from advancing its nuclear weapon programs while countering Beijing’s occupation in the South China Sea. President Trump's faith in Jinping has caused anxiety among many, fearing Washington could allow China free will to whirl overwhelming influence in the region, according to a report by CNN.
Most of the allies have expressed worries that the U.S. exit from the Paris climate pact and the Trans-Pacific trade partnership is a sign that Washington is diluting its global influence. Mattis said the U.S. is fully committed to its partners; he spoke at Asia’s premier security forum during the dialogue session. “Whether we like it or not, we are all part of the world… What a miserable world should we all wane inside our border” Mattis said.
U.S. threatened to take action
“As soon as we completely use up all possible alternatives, the United States will do the needful, he added, rephrasing a remark by a British war veteran Winston Churchill. “So we will always be there and we will be with you.”
However, upturning North Korea’s missile and nuclear advancement programs have become a top notch policy for Washington, considering Pyongyang’s threat to build a nuclear warhead capable of striking the US mainland.
The Trump administration has been mounting intense pressure on China to restrain its reclusive neighbor, threatening all options are available on the table should North Korea continue with its provocative nuclear weapons programs. “The US government is motivated by China’s rekindled effort to co-operate with the international community towards denuclearization,” Mattis told the audience.
China's activities in the South China Sea
“Definitely, we hope China will come to understand North Korea as a major liability rather than an asset,” Mattis said. Meanwhile, Mattis said demanding for Beijing’s collaboration on Pyongyang did not imply Washington would not oppose China’s unlawful activities in the South China Sea.
The United Nations Security Council on Friday slammed another round of targeted sanctions on North Korea following its series of missile tests, which was the first ever resolution adopted by the United States and China since the assumption of office by President Donald Trump.
