A Chinese local newspaper next to North Korea published a full-page guide on how to deal with a nuclear attack
- Jilin Daily ran a nuclear attack how-to in its Wednesday edition.
- The paper publishes in a province bordering North Korea.
- China has denied the editorial was tied to current political events.
A Chinese newspaper based right next to North Korea has published a full-page guide on how to cope with a nuclear attack in case bombs start falling.
In its Wednesday edition, Jilin Daily newspaper ran a full-page manual explaining the different types of nuclear weapons, its dangers, and how to cope when an attack happens.
The paper also published eight cartoons on what to do when one is exposed to nuclear radiation, like wearing masks in public, cleaning out one's ears with cotton buds, and vomiting out any radioactive substances in the body.
The publication is run by the Chinese government, but officials have said the guide was not published in light of a particular heightened threat at the present time.
Take a look at the manual below.
The manual doesn't mention North Korea, but it's worth noting that Jilin shares an approximately 200-kilometre (124-mile) border with the country, and is about 90 kilometres (56 miles) from Pyunggye-ri, the country's only known nuclear test site.
China, however, has denied that the editorial was about North Korea's nuclear threat.
According to the Global Times, another state-run Chinese newspaper, the manual was simply an educational guide on nuclear weapons, and shouldn't be read as a precaution against North Korea.
"Many countries and regions, such as South Korea and Japan, have made introducing nuclear knowledge part of their national education and sometimes even conduct exercises.
"Hence Jilin's practice doesn't necessarily mean the province faces the risk of nuclear attack. The Jilin office of civil air defense should have explained the background for the publicity to avert public misunderstanding."
Besides, it said, North Korea has no big reason to target China - South Korea, Japan, and US military bases in the Asia-Pacific are more likely to be "priority targets." And if it does target China, Beijing will strike back.
It said: "There is a slim chance that the US or North Korea will intentionally launch military attacks at China as they have no grounds. Meanwhile, as a powerful nuclear state, China will resolutely return like for like."
Pyongyang tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-15, last week. Experts say it could reach anywhere on the continental United States.