中國警告韓國樂天不要參與薩德

China has warned South Korean conglomerate Lotte over its involvement in a planned US missile shield on the peninsula — the first time Beijing has openly criticised the group after months of pressure via undeclared economic sanctions.

中國警告韓國企業集團樂天(Lotte)不要參與在朝鮮半島部署美國導彈防禦系統的計劃，這是北京方面在持續幾個月通過未公開的經濟制裁施加壓力後，首次公開批評該集團。

“Lotte will hurt the Chinese people and the consequences could be severe. The Chinese people will not support a company complicit in damaging China’s interests,” according to a commentary by Xinhua, the Beijing mouthpiece.

“樂天將傷害中國人民，後果可能是嚴重的。中國人民不會支持一家參與損害中國利益的公司，”官方的新華社發表的一篇評論文章稱。

The development underscores China’s two-track approach to the Korean peninsula amid heightened tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes.

這一事態突顯出，隨着朝鮮的核武和彈道導彈計劃引發的緊張局勢加劇，中國正在朝鮮半島採取雙軌戰略。

On one hand, it is increasing pressure on Pyongyang following a declaration on Sunday that it would stop importing North Korean coal.

一方面，中國正在加大對平壤方面的壓力，週日宣佈停止進口朝鮮煤炭。

On the other, it is squeezing Seoul on its plans to deploy the US missile shield that Beijing says is a “threat to regional security and stability”.

另一方面，它正在韓國部署美國反導系統計劃上對首爾方面施壓，北京方面稱該系統是“對區域安全和穩定的威脅”。

North Korea has re-emerged as a potential conflict hotspot after last year testing two nuclear devices and more than 20 ballistic missiles.

在去年進行兩次核試驗，並試射20多枚彈道導彈後，朝鮮已重新成爲潛在的衝突熱點。

Earlier this month, Pyongyang launched an advanced mid-range missile off its east coast in what observers saw a test of the new Trump administration.

本月早些時候，平壤方面在東海岸發射了一枚先進的中程彈道導彈；觀察人士認爲，此舉是對剛剛就職的特朗普政府的一個試探。

“The proposed deployment of a US missile defence system in the Republic of Korea is a threat to regional security and stability, and Lotte Group is one decision away from becoming an accessory to the act,” said Xinhua.

新華社稱：“大韓民國擬議部署的美國導彈防禦系統是對區域安全和穩定的威脅，而樂天集團只差一個決定就會成爲這種行爲的一個幫兇。”

Lotte is in talks with the Seoul government to trade the land needed to host the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence platform, more commonly known as Thaad.

樂天正與韓國政府談判，以轉讓部署末段高空區域防禦系統（THAAD，中文簡稱：薩德）所需的土地。

However, South Korea’s fifth-largest conglomerate has dragged its heels on negotiations in recent months as Beijing stepped up retaliatory measures against its operations in China.

然而，隨着北京方面加強針對其在華業務的報復措施，韓國第五大企業集團在近幾個月的談判中猶猶豫豫。

In December, it emerged the group’s premises across China had come under increased scrutiny and had been subject to an array of health and safety and tax investigations.

去年12月傳出的消息顯示，樂天集團在中國各地的經營地點受到更多關注，遭遇了一系列健康、安全和稅務調查。

Earlier this month, the company said it would close three retails stores in Beijing, partly as result of the deteriorating bilateral relationship over Thaad.

本月早些時候，樂天表示，將關閉在北京的三家零售店，部分原因就是薩德引發的兩國關係惡化。

“Lotte stands to lose Chinese customers and the Chinese market. That would be a very large slice out of their business pie,” said Xinhua.

“樂天將失去中國顧客和中國市場。那將是其商業蛋糕的很大一塊，”新華社稱。

The commentary urged Lotte to defer or reject the Thaad deal.

這篇評論文章敦促樂天推遲或拒絕薩德部署場地交易。

The ultimatum puts the company in a difficult position — caught between its business interests and the will of the South Korean government.

這一最後通牒使該公司陷入困難境地，被夾在其商業利益和韓國政府的意願中間。

The issue is also a sensitive one for policymakers in Seoul who recognise the importance of relations with their biggest trading partner but are increasingly anxious about North Korean belligerence.

這對首爾的政策制定者也是一個敏感問題，他們認識到與最大貿易伙伴關係的重要性，但越來越擔心朝鮮的挑釁行爲。

“Lotte has the position to resolve this issue from the broad point of view, in other words, for the sake of the national security and national interests,” said the South Korean defence ministry.

“樂天有能力從全局角度來解決這個問題，換句話說，爲了國家安全和國家利益，”韓國國防部表示。

The warning to Lotte came after China announced it would suspend coal imports from North Korea in a sign of Beijing’s displeasure with the reclusive regime.

向樂天發出警告是在中國宣佈暫停從朝鮮進口煤炭、表明北京方面對這個閉關自守的政權不滿之後。

China is North Korea’s main trading partner, and coal is one of its biggest imports from the country.

中國是朝鮮的主要貿易伙伴，而煤炭是朝鮮對華最大出口之一。

“This warning against Lotte is only the first step in pressuring the company as well as the government,” said Cai Jian, a professor at Fudan University in Shanghai.

“對樂天的這個警告只是對企業和政府施壓的第一步，”上海復旦大學教授蔡建稱。

“If Lotte does not budge, the penalties will get worse in terms impact and severity.”

“如果樂天不屈服，中方將加大懲罰措施的影響和嚴重性。