As reported by Chinese state media on Friday, China has pledged to remain neutral in the event of a strike on the United States by North Korea. However, China’s stance changes if the United States were to strike preemptively, stating that they will defend their neighbor if the United States attempt to overthrow Kim Jong Un’s regime.

The Global Times, a newspaper controlled by the Communist Party reported:

“If the U.S. and South Korea carry out strikes and try to overthrow the North Korean regime, and change the political pattern of the Korean Peninsula, China will prevent them from doing so.”

On the other hand however, many other forces have stepped up in support of the United States if any conflicts were to arise.

Itsunori Onodera, defense minister for Japan, made a statement this week, saying that his nation was ready to defend against any nuclear missiles if North Korea were to commence with their plans to attack Guam.

As reported by the South China Morning Post, Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia, also expressed his support for the United States, describing the two nations as being “joined by the hip”.

In a radio segment Friday morning with Australia’s 3AW, Turnbull said, “If there is an attack on the U.S., the Anzus Treaty would be invoked,” meaning that Australia would support the United States. The treaty that Turnbull was referring to is the security agreement that was collectively signed by the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

With tension already high, China’s announcement placed more pressure on the United States and North Korea, heightening the tension after numerous hostile exchanges.

President Trump issued a warning against North Korea earlier this week, insisting that any additional threats would be met with “fire and fury.” However, the red-line was crossed within a few hours when North Korea announced intent to strike Guam, a U.S. territory south of Japan.

Quoting that his original comment possibly “wasn’t tough enough”, Trump reiterated his strict stance on the matter, commenting:

“Let’s see what [Kim Jong Un] does with Guam. He does something in Guam, it will be an event the likes of which nobody has seen before – what will happen in North Korea.”

On the other hand, Fox News reports that one North Korean government official believes Trump is “going senile”.

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