China, tired of North Korea?

[best2002]

North Korea, China's longtime ally, has vexed Beijing for years with its rocket launches, nuclear tests, kidnapping of Chinese fishermen and other erratic behavior. Yet, Beijing has run interference at the United Nations to temper punishments against Pyongyang, and has even helped Pyongyang circumvent sanctions. China is trying to punish ally North Korea for its nuclear and missile tests, stepping up inspections of North Korean-bound cargo in a calibrated effort to send a message of Chinese pique without further provoking a testy Pyongyang government.

North Korea's economic lifeline, China is showing signs of getting tough with an impoverished neighbor it has long supported with trade, aid and diplomatic protection for fear of setting off a collapse. The moves to crimp, but not cut off trade with North Korea come as Beijing falls under increased scrutiny to enforce new U.N. sanctions passed after last month's nuclear test, Pyongyang's third.

Targeted in the sanctions are the bank financing and bulk smuggling of cash that could assist North Korea's nuclear and missile programs as well as the luxury goods that sustain the ruling elite around leader Kim Jong Un. Pyongyang has reacted with fury and threatening rhetoric against South Korea and the U.S. China's change of tack with North Korea unlikely foreshadows a total end to Beijing's support.

For Beijing, North Korea remains a pivotal strategic buffer between China and a U.S.-allied South Korea, and Chinese leaders worry that too much pressure could upend an already fragile North Korean economy and cause the Kim government to collapse, leaving Beijing with a security headache and possible refugee crisis.
(http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/11/opinion/lind-north-korea/index.html)

[dimbear]

1. If China ever wants to be taken seriously as a world power, it needs to step up.

Treat NK as it deserves. Tough love.

[jybarz]

2. It's about time!

It's about time the big panda China put their foot down on this endlessly yelping little terrier NK. The biteless yelping has got to stop annoying the UN neighbours and embarrassing the big panda no end. Would hate to see NK carry out their threats of nuking other countries including the big gun USA. It will be a pretty dumb mistake if they do because they will likely have no chance to regret it as they will be wiped off the World Map for sure like a lightning strike.

[davidpdx]

4. I agree

They needed to step in and I believe they probably did with a threat that they'd take action if Kim continued his rantings and ravings.

Someone on another thread had mentioned the possibility of China annexing North Korea. That could have been the threat China made to get them to back down.

I think it's going to be a slow retreat over the next few months for the tensions to drop between the two countries. President Park has offered to visit North Korea and we'll see if they take her up on the offer (the swish of the skirt aside).

[freshwest]

3. NK is listening to their biggest ally. New report now:

North Korean leader dials down hostile rhetoric

North Korea's leader appeared to tamp down hostile rhetoric that had threatened impending war with the United States and South Korea in a key speech published on Tuesday that implied the isolated country was shifting its focus to development.

Pyongyang has launched relentless verbal attacks and threats against the United States and South Korea since new U.N. sanctions punishing it for its February nuclear test were adopted and during military drills by the South and U.S. forces.

But the speech delivered on Sunday by Kim Jong-un focused on how nuclear capability supported economic development although it accused the United States of seeking to drag North Korea into an arms race in a bid to hinder its economic improvement.

"It is on the basis of a strong nuclear strength that peace and prosperity can exist and so can the happiness of people's lives," Kim said in the speech delivered to the central committee meeting of the ruling Workers Party of Korea and published in full on Tuesday.

Read more:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/02/us-korea-north-nuclear-idUSBRE93102Z20130402

From Bosonic's thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=441727