Peninsula parties must change track to avoid head-on collision

For those convinced a military solution to the current crisis on the Korean Peninsula is unavoidable, Chinese President Xi Jinping's latest emphasis on "resolving problems through peaceful means" in a phone conversation with his US counterpart on Wednesday should act as a reminder that the worst-case scenario should and can be avoided.

Tensions on the peninsula have spiraled to such a degree that both Pyongyang and Washington appear to be readying themselves for a costly showdown.

After dispatching the US Navy Carl Vinson carrier strike group to the Korean Peninsula, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday again vowed to "solve the North Korean problem", with or without Beijing's help.