China should defuse the crises

The only nation with influence in the north is China and it should use its influence over North Korea to defuse the crises since the shelling of a Southern island. So far Beijing as issued statements urging restraint and had refused to blame the North.

PJ Crowley ,the state department spokesman said Beijing’s role was essential and suggested Beijing to be clear on the issue.The officials from Japan have also encouraged China to take the lead with Pyongyang. Hong Lei ,the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said,“We regret the casualties and property losses and strongly urge both sides retain calm and restraint and engage in talks quickly as possible in order to prevent similar incidents from happening again .Pictures of the island show neighborhoods reduced to rubble with shops and homes burnt and destroyed .

Two marines and two South Korean civilians died in Tuesday’s shelling plus 18 people were injured. Lim Jung a 36 year old housewife who fled the island with her three children said,” I felt that something was flying over my head then I heard the sound of artillery, then the mountain caught on fire. Hundreds have taken ferries to the mainland to flee from the island, where they described what happened.