China: Joint military drills by US, S Korea, Japan main reason for tensions on Korean Peninsula

China says joint military drills by the United States and its regional allies, namely South Korea and Japan, are the main reason for tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made the remarks on Monday as the navies of the three allies began their first anti-submarine drills in six months to allegedly strengthen their coordination against what they called increasing missile threats from North Korea.

Later in the day, China denounced the two-day drills in the waters of the Sea of Japan as the main source of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, stressing that Seoul, Washington and Tokyo “should stop military pressure and create favorable conditions to de-escalate tensions and resume dialog” in the region.

“The main reason behind the recent flaring tensions on the Korean Peninsula is the continuous military drills near the Peninsula by certain countries. Relevant parties need to stop military pressuring and create favorable conditions for the alleviation of tensions and resumption of dialog,” Mao said at a press conference.

The drills, which involve the USS Nimitz and its strike group, are conducted off Japan’s southern island of Jeju with an eye on growing missile capabilities of North Korea. Pyongyang’s official KCNA news agency said on Sunday in an editorial that the North would respond in kind to the joint exercises.

“China always upholds peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, denuclearization of the Peninsula and the establishment of a peace mechanism, and dialogue and consultation to resolve the issues,” the spokeswoman said.

Mao criticized the US and its regional allies, saying while joint military drills with South Korea are still underway, drills by the US, Japan and the South “are now in succession.”

“A US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is still operating off the Korean Peninsula. This is the main reason for the persistent tension of the Korean Peninsula. We hope all parties can meet each other halfway, resolve respective legitimate concerns in a balanced manner, and safeguard peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman emphasized.

According to a statement by the South Korean Defense Ministry, the trilateral maritime drills are being led by Rear Admiral Christopher Sweeney, who commands Carrier Strike Group 11.

“The anti-submarine drills will focus on enhancing the countries’ capabilities to detect, track, share information on, and defeat the North’s underwater threats,” the statement claimed.

The US has a permanent military presence in South Korea with about 28,500 troops in its bases across the country.

Pyongyang views American forces’ presence in South Korea as a threat. It also sees the joint military drills as rehearsals for an invasion of its territory.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un recently called on his military to be ready for war.

North Korea, which declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power last year, is seeking to diversify delivery mechanisms for its nuclear weapons.

The North’s military conducted a firing drill late last month, simulating a nuclear attack using tactical ballistic missiles.