BEIJING, Oct 10: A Hong Kong newspaper reported on Tuesday that China had cancelled leave for troops along part of its border with North Korea and that some were conducting ‘anti-chemical’ training exercises.

In Beijing, China's foreign ministry said it was taking active steps to encourage North Korea to return to the six-party talks but warned Pyongyang that it had damaged relations with the only country that comes close to being its ally.

Analysts say Pyongyang's declaration is a sharp blow to Chinese President Hu Jintao's doctrine of using economic and diplomatic coaxing to end its drive to become a nuclear weapons state.—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...