Pyongyang warned China of “grave consequences” for betraying North Korea in a rare and explosive statement on Tuesday.
But Chinese state-run media have hit back at the totalitarian nation with a volley of criticisms and threats aimed at Kim Jong-un’s despotic regime.
A comment piece from Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily slammed Pyongyang for showing “irrational logic”.
The paper said the threat was a “hyper-aggressive” move motivated by “nationalist passion”.
“If the bottom line is touched, China will employ all means available including the military means to strike back.
“By that time the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will launch attacks to DPRK nuclear facilities of its own.”
The Chinese foreign ministry was forced to weigh in, insisting relations between the two nations would not be affected.
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China has a “consistent and clear” stance on North Korea and its nuclear programme.
The war of words erupted as Beijing seeks to strengthen ties with Washington in a bid to take a harder line on curbing North Korea’s nuclear programme.
FIGHTING TALK: Chinese president Xi Jinping, Chinese troops and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
For the first time in years, North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency issued direct criticism of China.
A statement from puppet propaganda rag KCNA slammed China for their “insincerity and betrayal”.
“China had better ponder over the grave consequences to be entailed by its reckless act of chopping down the pillar of the DPRK-China relations.”
The Hermit Kingdom has enjoyed a healthy relationship with China since World War 2.
But China has been under pressure to rein in its volatile neighbour as Kim Jong-un tries to develop nuclear weapons.
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