Trump, Jinping unite over looming N. Korea provocation

Washington D.C. [United States], August 12 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have agreed that 'North Korea must stop its provocative and escalatory behaviour'. "The leaders (Trump and Xi) affirmed the recent adoption of a New United Nations Security Council resolution regarding North Korea was an important and necessary step toward achieving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," said a statement released by the White House following a telephonic conversation between Trump and Xi. The two also reiterated their mutual commitment to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Chinese President Xi urged for restraint on Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Describing the escalating situation on the Korean Peninsula as highly complex and sensitive, Chinese foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, "Beijing hopes all relevant parties to speak and act with caution and do more things that are conducive to deescalating the tense situation and enhancing mutual trust among parties, rather than relapse into the old path of showing assertiveness and escalating tensions." Earlier Trump reiterated his bellicose rhetoric on North Korea and warned Kim Jong Un that if any of the U.S. territory is attacked, he "will truly regret it." He also issued a warning to North Korea on Friday, saying that the US military is 'locked and loaded' to deal with any provocation from Pyongyang. "Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully, Kim Jong Un will find another path!," Trump tweeted. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis had also warned North Korea to stop any action that would lead to the collapse of Kim Jong-Un's regime. "The DPRK (North Korea) should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people," Mattis said in a statement. He added that the United States and its allies have demonstrated capabilities and unquestionable commitment to defend them from any attack. "Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice, and statements from governments the world over, who agree the DPRK poses a threat to global security and stability. The DPRK must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons," he said. After issuing an ultimatum to North Korea for threatening the United States, President Donald Trump, earlier, in a series of tweets, said that the U.S. nuclear arsenal is now "far stronger and more powerful than ever before." President Trump on Wednesday touted the strength of the country's nuclear arsenal. Trump expressed hope that the U.S. would not have to use this "power," but remained confident in the strength of the country. Trump's reaction came after North Korea said it was considering carrying out missile strikes on the US Pacific territory of Guam. According to media reports, North Korea was considering to fire medium-to-long-range rockets at Guam, where US strategic bombers are based. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday, however, said he doesn't believe there is "any imminent threat" from North Korea and urged Americans to remain calm. "What the president is doing is sending a strong message to North Korea in language that Kim Jong Un can understand, because he doesn't seem to understand diplomatic language," Tillerson said. Trump on Tuesday warned North Korea, saying that Pyongyang will face "fire and fury" if it continues to threaten the U.S. "North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen. He has been very threatening - beyond a normal statement - and as I said they will be met with fire, fury and frankly power the likes of which the world has never seen before," ABC news quoted Trump as saying to reporters at his New Jersey golf club. Trump's remarks came after reports emerged saying that North Korea has created a miniaturized nuclear weapon designed to fit inside its missiles. Trump has also tried to leverage China, Pyongyang's only major ally, to get the country to change its behaviour. (ANI)