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China Reportedly Tells Military To Be Ready To "Move" To North Korea Border

According to the otherwise credible UPI, or United Press International, China has ordered its military to be on nationwide alert, in addition to areas near the North Korea border, as tensions escalate on the peninsula.

Citing the Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy, a nongovernmental organization in Hong Kong, UPI writes that Beijing has ordered troops at all five military "regions" to maintain preparedness because of the situation in North Korea, according to Oriental Daily News in Hong Kong. According to the NGO, China's armored and mechanized infantry brigades in the provinces of Shandong, Zhejiang and Yunnan received the state mandate.

UPI adds that about 25,000 troops of the Chinese military's 47th group army of the Ninth Armored Brigade have been instructed to be ready to move long distances, close to the North Korea border, the Hong Kong-based organization said. Other troops may have been mobilized.

As reported prefiously, according to Taiwan's China Post, the Chinese government may have deployed about 150,000 troops along the North Korea border on Sunday, as U.S. and South Korea militaries conducted joint exercises in and around the peninsula. However, earlier on Wednesday Chinese officials categorically denied the report.

The country keeps missiles, including 12 Dongfeng-03 ballistic missiles and 24 Dongfeng-21 "Carrier-killer" missiles at the 51st rocket army station in Shenyang, Liaoning Province.

China has become increasingly frustrated with North Korea's missile threats.

Following news of the U.S. deployment of the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson to the peninsula, state tabloid Global Times issued an editorial on Wednesday, saying more Chinese citizens want China to place heavier sanctions on North Korea. The Global Times English edition also issued an editorial saying China would "send out troops for sure" if military conflict is sparked on the peninsula.

The editorial has since been removed from state websites, according to multiple sources.

The report comes at the same time as foreign reporters in North Korea told Reuters that the regime had advised them to prepare for a "big and important event" on Thursday.

Source
War
Politics
North Korea