He also raised suspicion that China was trying to exert influence and interfere in the US domestic policy and politics, and leveled criticism at Beijing's policy for the South China Sea and suppression of ethnic minorities.

China has responded sensitively and refuted Pence's remarks, raising fears that the China-US conflict triggered by a trade war was escalating in many other areas.

The Rodong Sinmun then cited views of some experts who are critical of the US "Experts have raised concern about the escalation of the American-Chinese conflict and shared the view that America's capabilities to suppress China are limited and the trade dispute will certainly cause losses to itself," the newspaper said.

Noting Washington's recent indictment of a Chinese spy, the Pyongyang newspaper quoted experts as saying that the strategic confrontation and friction between China and the US that originated from a trade dispute has spread to various areas, including politics, human rights and cyberspace.

The newspaper reported on Oct. 9 that the US and Russia were escalating a conflict over Washington's plan to establish a military base in Poland.

In addition, the North Korean media have steadily carried reports on strategic US conflicts with China and Russia.

Watchers speculate Pyongyang appears to be closely following Washington's relationship with Beijing and Moscow due to its potential impact on the North-US denuclearization negotiations.

North Korea, China and Russia recently issued a joint statement calling on the US to ease sanctions on Pyongyang in return for its denuclearization measures. (Yonhap)