■美國聲稱派出「卡爾文森」號核動力航母戰鬥群前往朝鮮半島海域。資料圖片■Jeffrey Tse [ywc_jeffrey@hotmail.com]
原文
國家主席習近平4月12日同美國總統特朗普通電話，兩國元首就朝鮮半島局勢等共同關心的問題交換了意見。中方堅持以對話方式和平解決問題（peaceful resolution），而美方近日突然宣佈派出了航母群（aircraft carrier strike group ）駛向朝鮮半島海域，令地區局勢驟然緊張。
習近平4月初訪美與特朗普在海湖莊園會面，就當前中美關係進行深入溝通，取得不少共識（consensus），但習近平離開美國翌日，美國表示「卡爾文森」號核動力航母戰鬥群改變原定駛往澳大利亞的計劃（scrapped its original plan），開向朝鮮半島海域。
接着，特朗普在社交網站Twitter上聲稱，他曾向習近平明言，若中國成功解決朝鮮問題，將可以得到更好的貿易協議（trade deal）；若得不到中國協助，美國將會獨自解決問題。
中美保持溝通協調
和平解決朝核問題是中國的一貫立場（official stance）。習近平與特朗普通話時重申，中方堅持實現半島無核化（denuclearisation）目標，堅持維護半島和平與穩定（stability），主張通過和平方式解決問題，願同美方就半島問題保持溝通和協調。
中國不希望、也不答應朝鮮半島戰火重燃，習近平堅持不懈地（steadfastly）表達中方的明確立場，就是提醒美方，解決朝核問題，不能靠升溫（tension-mongering）。
拒威嚇利誘武力介入
至於把朝核與中美貿易（Sino-US trade）這兩個獨立問題硬扯上關係，要求中國對朝施壓，以換取更好的中美貿易協議，這是赤裸裸的政治訛詐（blatant extortion）。
中國秉持相互尊重、平等相待的外交原則（diplomatic principle），中國希望朝鮮半島和平穩定，但不會也不可能為了滿足美國的要求，而以強權向朝鮮施壓、迫其低頭。
朝鮮半島和朝核問題由來已久，既有歷史恩怨（old grudges），更與各方角力有關，牽涉到中美俄朝韓日六方錯綜複雜的關係（complex power play）。事實上，中國為和平解決朝核問題作出了巨大貢獻，扮演了重要角色。
歷史的教訓證明，外力介入只會加劇朝鮮半島的局勢緊張。如果朝鮮半島問題惡化，最終導致情況不受控（get out of hand）甚至兵戎相見，各方都難免捲入其中，淪為受害者。
希望美國吸取歷史教訓，積極響應（actively respond）中方以對話解決矛盾的呼籲，這才最符合朝鮮半島問題各方的利益。
（標題及小標題為編輯所加）
（摘錄自文匯報社評13-4-2017）
Learning Point
朝鮮半島局勢早前急速升溫，美國白宮曾宣佈派遣了「卡爾文森」號航母戰鬥群駛向朝鮮半島水域。
然而，「卡爾文森」號被揭當時根本還未出發。韓國《中央日報》日前以「特朗普的卡爾文森謊言」為標題，批評美國只會「靠嚇」，令韓國人受騙。
白宮發言人斯派塞澄清指，特朗普說過會派出艦隊，「這是事實，艦隊現正駛向朝鮮。」
韓國《中央日報》報道，朝鮮在閱兵儀式中展示導彈，試圖震懾外界，質疑美國也採取一樣的「靠嚇」策略。
韓國和日本均是美國在亞洲的重要盟友，分析認為，韓日兩國沒可能不知道「卡爾文森」號尚未起行，但兩國政府都沒有澄清，實際上是與美國合作，反映兩國受到與美方的聯盟束縛。
有專家指，韓日政府閉口不言，有助「假新聞」繼續發酵，增加對朝鮮的壓力。
譯文
Chinese President Xi Jin-ping shared his views on the situation in North Korea with US President Donald Trump in a telephone call on April 12. While China called for a peaceful resolution, the US stoked tensions as an aircraft carrier strike group was sent towards the Korean coast.
Trump offers better trade deals for China's support
During their meeting at the Mar-a-Lago estate early April, Xi and Trump reached important consensus as they engage in discussions on various issues regarding bilateral ties. However, a US navy strike group led by aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson scrapped its original plan of heading to Australia, and churned towards the Korean peninsula the next day Xi left.
Trump then followed up on Twitter, claiming he had told Xi that China would get a better trade deal if they "solve the North Korean problem", and if China was not going to help, the US would "solve the problem without them".
Solving the North Korean nuclear crisis through peaceful means has always been China's official stance. Xi has also reiterated during the phone call with Trump that China will continue to maintain peace and stability in the Korean peninsula, and are willing to work with the US in order to reach the denuclearisation of the region.
China declines such extortion
China does not wish, and would not agree to let the Korean War resume. By steadfastly asserting China's position, President Xi was reminding his US counterpart that tension-mongering are not the solution to the nuclear threat.
Also, linking Sino-US trade with the North Korean issue for leverage over China is nothing but blatant extortion.
On the one hand, China upholds the diplomatic principle of mutual respect and equality, and hopes for peace and stability in the Korean peninsula. But on the other hand, she will not press North Korea to back down just to fulfil the requests of Trump.
The North Korean nuclear problem has been a long standing issue involving old grudges and complex power play between China, the US, Russia, North Korea, the Republic of Korea and Japan. In fact, China has already played an important role and contributed greatly to a peaceful settlement. History has taught us that the involvement of external parties would only lead to increased tensions. No one would benefit if things get out of hand and war breaks out in the Korean peninsula.
Let's hope that the United States will learn from the lessons of history, and actively respond to the Chinese call for a peaceful resolution, for it would be in the best interests for all parties involved.
