US and South Korea say there will be dire consequences if North Korea uses nuclear weapons, China says it's "provocative"

"All parties should face up to the crux of the (Korean) peninsula issue and play a constructive role in promoting a peaceful resolution of the issue," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said.

Ms Mao called for resistance against "intentionally stirring up tensions, provoking confrontation and making threats".

At a summit in Washington, US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made clear that if Pyongyang attacks South Korea or the US, the response will be devastating.

The two sides also agreed that the US security shield for South Korea will be strengthened in the face of North Korea's missile tests.

On April 27, China condemned the decision, saying Washington "ignored regional security and insisted on using the peninsula issue to stir up tensions."

“What the US is doing… is provoking confrontation between the parties, undermining the nuclear non-proliferation regime and the strategic interests of other countries,” Ms. Mao stressed.

The spokeswoman added that the US moves "exacerbate tensions on the peninsula, undermine regional peace and stability, and run counter to the goal of denuclearization on the peninsula."

The United States pledged on April 26 to take a deeper look at its nuclear plans for any conflict with North Korea, amid concerns about Pyongyang's expanding arsenal.

At a joint press conference, Mr. Yoon announced that he and President Biden agreed on steps to strengthen South Korea's defense capabilities to deal with the threat posed by North Korea.

According to Tuoi Tre