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Subscribe to RSSEarly readings of North Korea's nuclear test Monday show it was three to six times more powerful than any tests from that country before. President Obama is calling it "a highly provocative act." NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.
News analysis
SEOUL, South Korea — As North Korea's biggest political ally and benefactor, China would appear to hold all the cards when it comes to reining in Kim Jong Un's regime.
However, its response to Pyongyang's latest nuclear test was rather muted Tuesday.
Beijing's foreign minister summoned North Korea's ambassador for a dressing down and sternly expressed "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to the test.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Beijing will also join in a meeting set for later this week to discuss how best to respond to the nuclear test. But it remains unclear if Beijing will support tougher new sanctions, or that any new round of UN sanctions or resolutions will have much impact on the reclusive nation's actions.
Since the 1950-1953 Korean War, North Korea has been subjected to an array of multinational and unilateral sanctions by the international community. The country's leaders have responded to the isolation by focusing even more intently on developing sophisticated weapons and rocket programs that have simultaneously infuriated regional neighbors and drawn them to the negotiating table.
White House: North Korea nuclear test 'highly provocative'
Many regional observers have suggested that international sanctions are doomed to failure as long as Beijing continues to prop up and sustain its neighbor through aid and investment.
Chinatopix via AP
North Korean soldiers stand guard on the river bank of the North Korean town of Sinuiju, opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong on Tuesday.
Indeed, over the years China has staunchly supported North Korea on the international field, arguing that individual countries have the right to develop rocket programs that were scientific in nature and helping to derail stiffer sanctions against North Korea by the UN.
Last month's surprise announcement that China had joined in with the rest of the UN Security Council in condemning North Korea's latest rocket test seemed to represent a shift in its way of engaging with its neighbor, and long-time Communist comrade. However, it later emerged that China had worked hard to block any new sanctions.
The Associated Press noted:
Despite being the North's biggest source of aid and diplomatic support, Beijing has been reluctant to back more severe measures that could destabilize the North's hardline regime, which serves as a buffer between China and democratic South Korea backed by U.S. forces.
In the weeks leading up to Tuesday's nuclear test, it has been widely reported that China had been working behind the scenes with North Korea to halt the test and suspend their nuclear program.
Officially, China's Foreign Ministry has maintained steady support for North Korea by lamely calling for peace on the Korean peninsula and greater engagement by all parties.
Ambassador Susan Rice tells reporters at the United Nations that North Korea's latest, "highly-provocative" and "regrettable" act of testing a nuclear weapon "directly violates" security council resolution and threatens international peace, "vowing a swift, credible and strong response."
But in China's state-run media, the frustration towards North Korea has become obvious.
A strongly worded opinion piece last week in the typically nationalistic Chinese newspaper, Global Times, called on China's ruling Communist Party to take a tougher stance on North Korea provocations.
"If North Korea insists on a third nuclear test despite attempts to dissuade it, it must pay a heavy price," the paper said, effectively calling for an end to Chinese economic aid to the struggling country as punishment.
The Global Times certainly does not reflect official Chinese policy; state censors tend to give greater latitude to papers like the Global Times, using such media as a spigot from which to turn nationalist sentiment on and off while also gauging popular opinion. But it could indicate the direction China may be prepared to go to ensure stability on its borders.
Although tougher economic sanctions backed by China might cause Kim and his generals to reconsider their drive for more sophisticated nuclear devices, the move could also alienate Pyongyang and create a nuclear-armed rival on its doorstep.
Ed Jones / AFP-Getty Images
A North Korean flag flies above the North Korean Embassy in Beijing on Tuesday.
It is for this reason — and the fact that China's leadership transition is not yet complete, with Xi Jinping still not formally president until June —that Beijing's reaction to North Korea transgressions will likely remain subdued.
It appears likely that China will join the Security Council this week in condemning the North Koreans for this nuclear test, but it remains unclear which way Beijing will fall on stronger sanctions.
Their decision could finally shed some light on the opaque political calculus that Beijing uses in dealing with its wayward old ally North Korea.
Related:
North Korea propaganda video shows US city in flames
China state media: N. Korea would pay 'heavy price' for nuclear test
Leave a Comment:
Because of our failure to learn from the past, Hitler is watching with a smile on his face.
I can not help but to say that I have heard same US comment before and Sanctions are not seriously effective, China still relunctant... Now What is next? Wait until they nuke San Fransisco or few US Western towns when US is aware that she only have lip servicers countries on being US friends? God help US and Europe.
North Korea's actions are all blessed by China. China needs a nuclear ally on its border to counter American influence in the region. America has to be very careful in the far East because we don't want South Korea and Japan to become a nuclear powers. The more nations of Orient becomes a nuclear powers the more trouble it would bring for the West. A nuclear South Korea and Japan could become a bigger threat to USA interest in the region in the future. China wants nuclear Asia to counter balance the nuclear West. In Geo-Politics there are no permanent friends nor permanent enemies. Today's friends are tomorrow's enemies and vice versa. China knows that a nuclear South Korea and Japan would be no match for a bigger nuclear nation like China and even if these two countries doesn't become a nuclear powers than America would be forced to spend immense amount to maintain its bases in these two nations and other countries in the Orient to check china's military power. Maintaining bases cost money and commitment. China knows that American economy is on a free fall. Any nation whose economy is bad cannot engage in wars. More America would spend on its military bases more America would end in financial abyss. China does not have not fight America military in the region; it could achieve victory by bleeding America financially. America has to be smart when it comes to dealing with China and North Korea because the Orient can suck America into a pit from where there would be no return.
China needs to be forced to choose between supporting the US and selling their products here or support N. Korea and join their sanctions on commerce. They need to be told they can't have it both ways.
US needs to be forced to choose between supporting China so that China will supply their value for money products here to meet the needs of average Ameriacans or support the Japanese in the Diayu island territorial dispute. US needs to be told they can't have it both ways.
Henrich, whether people admit it or not America, being the biggest and baddest on the "Block" can and should "Have it" any damn way it wants it, because that's the first priority of our government; Protect and ensure the welfare and interests of the American people. If there's any control exercised it's exercised by the American people who decide whether or not "Having it" is worth it. Obama, in his State of the Union address touched on a fundamental thing; "American principles." Lol, some say that's "War mongering." Ok, if it is then so be it. America is faced with predator nations, most small and one very big predator; The PRC. Ignore the PRC, talk about "Peace in our times," it's all very cool but it's at our own peril.
we should all rally in the streets and burn north korean flags and raise our weapons high above our heads and shoot in the sky like every other nation in this world does!
oh wait....we won't...because this country sucks and is so boring!
It would be pointless - nobody in NK would ever hear about it.
the point is to get the u.s. government pressure...not korea. i could care less what they think
Because you're bored? LOL
"North Korea crisis: China speaks softly to avoid alienating nuclear-armed neighbor"
That is why the world should not let a dictatorship become a nuclear power to begin with. See Iran next.
The PRC probably feels a little uneasy with a nuclear armed North Korea on the border, because after Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River during the Korean War they were beaten back across the river by Allied forces, despite all the propaganda about how strong the PRC was. The North Koreans were disenchanted and today they still feel that some pay-back is due the PRC for having left them holding the bag, lol. Well, they, the PRC, shouldn't worry too much, and neither should we, about a nuclear armed North Korea, it's one thing to set a nuke off in a test, quite another thing to field a modern nuclear armed military force. Man, they would probably wind up nuking themselves and if it weren't for the "Fall-out" moving South that would suit everyone just fine.
N Korea is just a sock puppet for China- expect nothing from this
China fears North Korea? I don't believe that for one second.
Mike, the PRC doesn't fear North Korea as a military power, it fears North Korea as the possible instigator of a war that PRC doesn't want or need, not at it's present stage of development.
NK is a soverign nation and does what is necessary to safeguard her territorial integrity and best interest. China may provide aid, but NK does not listen to China when her national interest is in stake.
I hear highly provocative. B/S, they are down right belligerent. So as Klatoo said in the Day the Earth Stood Still. If they won't live in peace, let Gort reduce them to a burned out cinder.
Well I have to say that Analysts have always being in business because they mostly say things on a scanty evidence they have. They have done that throughout North Korean Nuke development and never sure of much. They never thought NK would be capable of producing what they have done so far. And don't forget that they are mostly not accountable. The next debate is whether or not North Korea will reach US and kill more people than 911 did?
They are now analysing China's thoughts as a nation and speculating like elections pole analysts. As probably lowly educated, we can see that clearly, that China's interest is to lead US in everything. and US with her divisions argueing about tomato and potato prices distracting themselves from the Real business of nation first.
Ask yourselves now. Without analysts, would the banks have failed? Would NK have got nukes? More importantly, would the West be in this economic uncertainty?.. Of course not. I don't trust any group of analysts any more at least until all groups of them comes to one decision. In a battle field, If you have a gun with 10 bullets and a Shovel with you and are sure your enemies are into thousands, which will you trust? I will trust myself to dig deep and try to hide than rely on my gun because that is certain death. At least there is hope in shovel.
That shovel is your Government as a whole which need to get together and think of better way ahead. We don't need war unless as last result. But China is hiding behind a finger(North Korean friend). Until US clearly make this known to them, we may be looking at a dangerous future. US best friends will never come from asia with memory of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.. Time we stop fooling ourselves and start thinking. Twin Tower as I always say was not destroyed at first attempt. Two attacks eight years apart did that damage.
Hope I haven't bore you to slumber. Thank you.
China is quickly becoming a Capitalist economy. With that comes more freedom. Eventually, China will have its own version of democracy and will stop supporting North Korea. North Korea will either starve or free itself from the crazies and join the rest of the world. Either way, problem solved.
It would behoove China to curb stomp North Korea's face and expedite their downfall.
Todd, as long as PRC is ruled by a Marxist ideology it will never be Capitalist. For one thing, in order for Capitalism to be successful the people have to have the individual freedom to pursue happiness, each individual his own happiness and that is something that Marxism cannot allow. Lol, it's dangerous to the ruling elite.
Looks like China is afraid NK.
Your definition of a "president with balls" is, of course, none other than GW Bush, who killed 60,000 defenseless and innocent civilians in Iraq with superior weaponry, all done in the name of chasing down elusive WMDs that were not ever in the country.
It was the worst loss of civilian life from conventional weapons in a 72 hour period in all of history. Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it.
Something besides killing all of those people came out of it. When we and our allies had the Revolutionary Guards strung out on the roads, in our sights, it was a American army general who held back, because, as he put it; "It would have been almost like murder." So, contrary to what many say, there is a bit of morality in our armed forces. Lol, not for me though, they should have killed every last one of them, a dead soldier does not live to fight again another day.
China is weak. Nothing creative has ever come out of China .... always copies. The only thing China has ever contributed to this world is more people.
personally i wish iran, syria, north korea would band together and all at once unleash about 200 atom/hydrogen bombs at the U.S....get rid of that piece of crap country along with it's moggots for citizens...the good part is Obama would only beg for them to stop...or he will hide under the bed..america is nothing but a bunch of cowards.....the public will race to mcdonalds to fatten up their lard A— _es before they kiss their A— _es goodbye...lol.
Wow. This is interesting. Some very interesting perspectives in here and a few I hadn't considered until now. I'm still a but confused by NK ... it has to be the isolation .. but it just seems absurd that they are acting so provocatively. Do they want to be at war with the West? With the world? Love them or hate them - you've have to be off your rocker to want to fight them! But what I do find interesting is the disregard for China. I don't believe this is sneaky politics on behalf of China ... and it's not like them to take disobedience lightly ... they ARE a dictatorship ... and they are big on respect ... I would imagine this is extremely disrespectful on behalf of NK in their opinion and I bet the only reason they haven't reminded them that they are in charge is because they are considering how the stance would be viewed by the outside. They do not want to be seem to support outside interference in another country in any way.
If China has any sense, they would simply invade North Korea, tell the people "the revolution has failed you, we are here to save you", and then install a puppet government that is less confrontational. And if pigs could fly...
Get rid of minny me and put in some factories ,jobs and the people forget all about it and get on with the rest of the world.
BobbyMac1 .. it sort of does. Bet China doesn't like the world mulling that over ... this is why (in a totally removed way) I am very interested to see their next move. And to all the racists here: go f-yourselves. It's one thing to criticize the Chinese governments but don't underestimate the people. The world is a two way place you ignorant tools.
let's see what is in it for the US. since China is funding our debt, we can't upset them to much, or can we. take away China's "most favored nation" trade status and hike the import tarriffs on all goods made in China. we get a boost in revenue, and a bargainning chip to use against North Korea. the manufacturers that took their factories to China would want to relocate. give South Korea neucs? I don't think so. it would furthur inflame the local sensitivities, especially the Japanese and Taiwan. computer hack the NK computers controlling another neuclear launch, franksly I don't think we have the expertise to do that, otherwise we would have firewalls the Chinese could not get through to pursue their industrial sabotage. just think of what we've had to go through to keep India and Pakistan from neucing each other. as the Brits might say "BLOODY MARVELOUS".
China is a third world country. They are an old civilization, but they don't worry about small, upstart countries. They recognize countries they can out eat.
China WTF North Korea is contaminating your area too. Would you get off your A$$eS and do something
Hello, China wasn't our friend, China isn't our friend, China will never be our friend. At best they are a competitor, economically, militarily, geo-politically. They will cheat, lie, block, alienate and use the billions of dollars we send them every month to do everything in their power short of a hot war to see them rise and us fall. Unfortunately for us, we've got the right guy in the White House now to help facilitate this. God help us all, again I'm glad I'm old and probably won't be around in thirty years to see if not the fall of America then America's total subservience to other powers that will become totally dominant in part because of our lack of will,leadership and moral bankruptcy.
I guess it could be "Nitpicking" but we ought to differentiate between China; The Nationalists, a democratic and free people on Formosa and PRC; The mainland Chinese who are ruled by a bunch of Marxist thugs. It's the Nationalists who held the UN Security Council Seat after WWII. Granted, since the Marxists controlled the mainland PRC was given the seat on the Security Council held by the Nationalists. That, I guess, was only right because it was the Communists under Mao, a guerilla leader at the time, who bore the brunt of fighting the Japanese. Lol, his "Long March" paid off. Yeah well, whatever, it's all in the past now and we have to deal with the "What is." Some still say that we "Lost China" when we allowed the Communists to run the Nationalists off the mainland, after vowing support for Chiang Kai Shek (spelling is my phonetic spelling). Well, back in the 50's we did protect the Nationalists from a invasion from the mainland by sailing elements of the 7th Fleet between the Mainland and Formosa, and stopped the Communist shelling of the Nationalist islands of Quemoy and Matsu. Man, I was in high school at the time and I remember some hot domestic debates about that and that was when American dissent first began, kids going around wearing Mao jackets and extolling the virtues of Mao's "Little Red Book." So anyway, here we are today facing a PRC that is dedicated to our destruction in Asia and all because we "Should have done this or that" and "If only." Lol, history is full of "Should haves" and "What ifs."
This really is not the complicated but I can see how Obama struggles. Tell China that this N. Korean loony country is so unstable, and now has nukes, that we have no choice but to "put nukes in S. Korea, Japan and Taiwan as protection". I'm guessing China would not like nukes 34 seconds from their borders and might seek a better solution to make the problem child go away.