China’s ambassador to the United Nations has warned that further escalation of already high tensions on the Korean Peninsula could lead to disastrous consequences.
 
Liu Jieyi, who holds the UN Security Council presidency this month, issued the warning on Monday during a news conference at the UN, saying that China cannot afford to wait for too long without dialogue taking place.
 
[Sound bite: Chinese Ambassador to the UN Liu Jieyi (English)]
"Currently, tension is high and we certainly we would like to see a de-escalation of tension because if tension only goes up, and goes up only, then sooner or later it will get out of control. And the consequences would be disastrous."
 "So we do hope that the other parties will be more forthcoming in accepting and supporting these proposals."
  
Beijing proposed that the North freeze its nuclear and missile programs and South Korea and the U.S. suspend their military exercises. But the proposal failed to gain traction as Washington maintains that it will only hold talks with North Korea if it moves first to freeze its nuclear and ballistic missile activities.

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