Questions arise on China's plans as N. Korea war talk rises
Posted October 05, 2017 7:00 am
BEIJING (AP) - Analysts say the security of North Korea's missiles and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons would be a chief priority for China in the event of a major crisis involving its communist neighbor.
China is mum on any contingency plans, but questions are being raised with U.S. and North Korean tensions high and relations between Beijing and Pyongyang at a historic low. The scene along the China-North Korea border provides some clues.
Construction crews are at work on a six-lane highway to the border outside the small Chinese city of Ji'an along the Tumen River. The dearth of traffic and trade would suggest the highway is of little use, but it could facilitate the rapid movement of tanks and troops.
FILE - In this April 15, 2017 file photo, a submarine missile is paraded across the Kim Il Sung Square during a military parade, in Pyongyang, North Korea to celebrate the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the country's late founder. Securing North Korea's missile launchers and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons sites would likely be a chief priority for China in the event of a major crisis involving its communist neighbor, analysts say, although Beijing so far is keeping mum on any plans. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File)
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In this Aug. 30, 2017 photo, a board warns against harboring people who cross the border is displayed near Lingjiang on the border with North Korea in northeastern China's Jilin province. Securing North Korea's missile launchers and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons sites would likely be a chief priority for China in the event of a major crisis involving its communist neighbor, analysts say, although Beijing so far is keeping mum on any plans. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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In this Aug. 30, 2017 photo, a tobacco vendor waits for customers near banners which read "Strictly prohibited from taking photos across the border or making provocative actions" near Lingjiang on the border with North Korea in northeastern China's Jilin province. Securing North Korea's missile launchers and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons sites would likely be a chief priority for China in the event of a major crisis involving its communist neighbor, analysts say, although Beijing so far is keeping mum on any plans. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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In this Aug. 29, 2017 photo, North Korean soldiers prepare fencing on the North Korea side of the border with China near the Chinese city of Jian in northeastern China's Jilin province. Securing North Korea's missile launchers and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons sites would likely be a chief priority for China in the event of a major crisis involving its communist neighbor, analysts say, although Beijing so far is keeping mum on any plans. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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In this Aug. 29, 2017 photo, North Korean soldiers stand next to a horse on the North Korea side of the border with China near the Chinese city of Jian in northeastern China's Jilin province. Securing North Korea's missile launchers and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons sites would likely be a chief priority for China in the event of a major crisis involving its communist neighbor, analysts say, although Beijing so far is keeping mum on any plans. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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In this Aug. 29, 2017 photo, North Korean residents cycle on North Korea side of the border with China near the Chinese city of Jian in northeastern China's Jilin province. Securing North Korea's missile launchers and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons sites would likely be a chief priority for China in the event of a major crisis involving its communist neighbor, analysts say, although Beijing so far is keeping mum on any plans. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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In this Aug. 30, 2017 photo, North Korean men ride on a make shift raft to transport logs down the river that divides North Korea from China near the Chinese city of Lingjiang in northeastern China's Jilin province. Securing North Korea's missile launchers and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons sites would likely be a chief priority for China in the event of a major crisis involving its communist neighbor, analysts say, although Beijing so far is keeping mum on any plans. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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In this Aug. 29, 2017 photo, Chinese men prepare rafts for tourists visiting the river that divides China from North Korea on the left near the Chinese city of Jian in northeastern China's Jilin province. Securing North Korea's missile launchers and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons sites would likely be a chief priority for China in the event of a major crisis involving its communist neighbor, analysts say, although Beijing so far is keeping mum on any plans. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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