Mattis to Visit China amid Korea Talks, Strategic Tensions

Local Editor

US War Secretary James Mattis will make his first visit to China this week amid rising tensions between the two countries but also a deep need for Beijing's support in nuclear talks with North Korea.

Mattis told reporters Sunday he wants to "take measure" of China's strategic ambitions after it positioned weaponry on disputed islets in the South China Sea and is seeking to project its military power deep into the Pacific.

But in a four-day trip that will also include South Korea and Japan, the Pentagon chief also hopes to confirm China's commitment to pressuring North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, after the historic talks between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore.

The United States, China, Japan and South Korea "have a common goal: the complete, irreversible and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," Mattis said.

In Beijing from Tuesday to Thursday, Mattis will meet with senior Chinese defense officials. 

He will then travel to Seoul for talks with his South Korean counterpart Song Young-moo, followed by a stop Friday in Japan to see defense chief Itsunori Onodera.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team