China Welcomes North Korea's Decision to Halt Nuclear and Missile Tests

China, as North Korea's main supporter and economic partner, welcomed the country's decision to halt nuclear and missile tests on Saturday, calling it a step towards nuclear disarmament in a volatile region. Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, announced in a statement on Saturday, April 20, that his country no longer needs nuclear and ballistic missile tests as it has achieved the capability to produce nuclear weapons. He also stated that in addition to suspending all missile and nuclear tests, a major nuclear testing site in the north of the country will be closed. This was met with a positive reaction from U.S. President Donald Trump, who is set to meet with the North Korean leader soon, and Trump tweeted that "this is very good news for North Korea and the world. Big progress! Looking forward to our meeting." On the same day, China, North Korea's main ally and largest economic partner, emphasized that it believes the decision to halt nuclear tests and focus on economic development and improving the living standards of the North Korean people will facilitate the future situation of the country. According to a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, this action also "helps efforts for nuclear disarmament on the Korean Peninsula and achieving a political agreement." He also stated that China will support North Korea's negotiations and consultations with relevant parties. The surprising announcement to halt missile and nuclear tests comes less than a week before the leaders of the two Koreas are set to meet. The two sides have recently established an emergency contact line and are scheduled to meet next Friday in the demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea. The North Korean leader, who recently visited China, is also set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump soon, and it was recently announced that he hosted Mike Pompeo, the former head of the CIA and a nominee for the U.S. Secretary of State position. However, there is still no indication that Kim Jong-un intends to completely abandon the country's nuclear and missile ambitions, including the production of missiles that could cover all of the U.S. territory. North Korea, one of the poorest countries in the world, has pursued a policy of simultaneous military and economic development for years, but the biting sanctions from the United Nations last year, which targeted more than two-thirds of North Korea's export income, dealt a heavier blow to the country's economy. Meanwhile, in his announcement to halt missile and nuclear tests, the North Korean leader claimed that under the current conditions, where his country has become a "powerful country," "the whole party and country" must focus on the so-called policy of communist economic construction.