China urged the United States to sack the head of the U.S. Pacific Command in return for exerting more pressure on North Korea amid concerns over its growing nuclear and missile threats, a source close to U.S.-China ties said Saturday.
We shall file their request and take it under advisement:
The Chinese deny they made any such request:
"While it is not clear whether the [Kyodo news] report originated from a source who actually believed personnel issues were discussed, wanted to sell fake news or had a secret ulterior motive, we can confirm the report is not true," [the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman] said.
Of course, we don't know what part of the report makes the totality untrue. Perhaps the Chinese didn't really offer to exert more pressure on North Korea, for example, making the story not true.
But if they did make the request, I have a counter-proposal for China: Help us end the North Korean nuclear threat in exchange for America not helping Japan and South Korea go nuclear to deter North Korea (and China, by a happy coincidence).
