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China Blasts
US Accusation |
| By
Stephen Lendman |
| On Thursday, Trump abrasively tweeted: “Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed
that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea.” “There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!” The NYT, WaPo, CNN, other US and Western media jumped on the issue, repeating Trump’s accusation, no evidence proving China is violating SC resolutions on the country. Editorials in China’s Global Times (GT) and People’s Daily (PD) sharply denied the accusation. PD quoted China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, saying: “The Chinese government has been comprehensively, accurately, faithfully and strictly implementing the Security Council’s DPRK-related resolutions,” adding: Beijing’s enforcement of Security Council resolutions is “earnest and serious (its measures and actions) forceful and effective.” “If there is solid evidence proving that there is on the Chinese side any violation of the Security Council resolutions, China will surely deal with it in accordance with laws and regulations, and not a single case of violation should get away with it.” Hua suggested Western media address whether governments they represent strictly implement SC resolution. Washington, NATO, Israel, and its rogue allies breach them with disturbing regularity, pursuing their lawless agendas. In response to Western media claims about photos taken by US satellites, allegedly showing Chinese ships linking up with North Korean ones, GT said the vessels in question aren’t oil tankers or capable of carrying large tonnage. Besides, it’s unclear what nation they belong to or where they came from. GT: “It’s universally known that the ownership of a vessel cannot be determined from the logos and flags on it.” “It’s hasty to assert that the ship is connected to China just based on its appearance. Moreover, if it was indeed smuggling, it is highly likely that the vessel would use false logos.” “What motivation would China possibly have to secretly supply oil to North Korea? How would Beijing benefit from risking its national reputation for such petty actions?” “Amid increasingly tough sanctions on Pyongyang, there are indeed some people smuggling for huge gains. But these smugglers might be mainlanders, South Koreans, Japanese, Taiwanese, groups from Southeast Asian countries or even Westerners.” The greater issue is why China and Russia permitted multiple rounds of harsh sanctions on North Korea - knowing they’re counterproductive. They don’t work, encouraging, not curtailing, Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic programs - most importantly, inflicting enormous harm on millions of ordinary North Koreans, victims of US-led rage against their country. China and Russia shamed themselves for going along with Washington’s punitive agenda, its ruthlessness against all sovereign independent countries including their own. Resoluteness demands standing up to bullies like America, challenging its ruthlessness responsibly, not acting as a willing co-conspirator against the North Korean people. Note: Security Council sanctions on North Korea ban around 90% of refined petroleum products, not 100%. They permit four million barrels of crude oil imports. They ban or severely limit most everything else, a policy of economic strangulation - a flagrant human rights abuse. VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html |