Responding to regional worries over North Korea's bellicose threats, China on Sunday expressed concern and what appeared to be veiled criticism of its longtime ally.
"No one should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gains," said Chinese President Xi Jinping at an economic forum in Hainan Province. Avoiding mentioning North Korea by name, Xi said, "While pursuing its own interests, a country should accommodate the legitimate interests of others."
Xi said that the international community and its collective scrutiny should act as a platform for common development rather than an "arena where gladiators fight each other."