南华早报：如果朝鲜违法共同防御协定发展核武，中国就没有保护朝鲜的义务。 Chinucks2017-04-20 15:43:30
China’s nuclear get-out clause over defence of North Korea
Beijing not obliged to defend Pyongyang as its development of nuclear weapons breaches mutual defence pact, experts say as US warns it may launch strike against North
PUBLISHED : Thursday, 13 April, 2017, 10:00am
UPDATED : Friday, 14 April, 2017, 4:59pm
China is not obliged to help defend North Korea from military attack if the reclusive state developed nuclear weapons, according to Chinese diplomatic and military observers.
The assessment comes as senior officials in Washington warn of a strike against the Pyongyang regime.
China and North Korea signed a mutual aid and cooperation treaty in 1961 as they sought to mount a united front against Western powers. It specifies that if one of the parties comes under armed attack, the other should render immediate assistance, including military support.
But the treaty also says both nations should safeguard peace and security.
For China, North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons in violation of the United Nations treaty on non-proliferation could amount to a breach of their pact, leaving Beijing with no obligation to lend a hand, observers said.
