China is North Korea's most important ally. In order to avoid an escalation after the North Korean missile tests, the US is hoping for mediation from Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to Pyongyang, he should seek cooperation with ruler Kim Jong Un.
According to North Korean state media, Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to work with local ruler Kim Jong Un for world peace. The state news agency KCNA reported that in a message to Kim, Xi indicated that Beijing is ready to work with Pyongyang for "peace, stability, development and prosperity of the region and the world."
Xi said he was willing to cooperate with the North Korean leadership while "changing the world" and "history in unprecedented ways." The KCNA cites Xi's response to Kim's congratulations to the Chinese leader on his third term as general secretary of the Communist Party.
North Korea had intensified its missile tests after joint military exercises by South Korea and the United States. Just recently, Pyongyang fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Members of the UN Security Council condemned the latest rocket launch on Monday but refrained from making a formal statement due to opposition from China and Russia.
UN resolutions prohibit the self-declared nuclear power North Korea from testing ballistic missiles of any range, which, depending on the design, can carry one or more nuclear warheads. ICBMs include missiles with a range of at least 5500 kilometers. The development of long-range strategic missiles is particularly aimed at the United States, which Pyongyang accuses of hostile policies.
The US government believes that the key to Pyongyang's backing down lies with China, the country's most important ally. According to a senior US official, Washington wants to ask Beijing to use its influence over the country.
