Is China Now Seeing North Korea As A Liability?

North Korean soldiers chat as they stand guard behind national flags of China (front) and North Korea on a boat anchored along the banks of Yalu River, near the North Korean town of Sinuiju, opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong, June 10, 2013. REUTERS/Jacky Chen

Saša Petricic, CBC News: Analysis: End of a special relationship? China looks at North Korea with frustration and even fear

15 missile tests and nuclear explosion jolted China into tougher stance on longtime ally.

As recently as a few months ago, when Pyongyang was planning to launch a missile or carry out a nuclear test, it would send an envoy to Beijing or notify it in advance through other channels. Not so anymore, it seems.

Observers here say there was no warning delivered before Friday's missile went up from North Korea and set the region on edge.

No courtesy note was sent before the ground shook in northeast China from the massive underground nuclear blast next door earlier this month. It left many in China angry and exasperated.

"Many here now see North Korea as a major liability," says Zhao Tong, North Korea expert at Beijing's Carnegie-Tsinghua Centre for Global Policy. "And it appears North Korea doesn't mind annoying Beijing."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I find the debate in China on what to do with North Korea a fascinating thing to watch. What was unthinkable only 5 years ago .... i.e. China's strong commitment and support of the North Korean government .... is now an open and contentious debate within China on why they should be committed and supportive of North Korea. My prediction .... the Chinese are incredibly slow when it comes to making serious changes to policy and dogma .... but they are making it on North Korea right now. Five years from now .... I will not be surprised if the China - North Korean relationship will be hostile .... and openly so.

More News And Analysis On The China - North Korean Relationship

China Rebuffs U.S. Demand to Cut Off Oil Exports to North Korea -- Bloomberg
China urges peaceful, diplomatic resolution to North Korea tensions -- Reuters

Chinese academics prod Beijing to consider North Korea contingencies -- Reuters

China Claims 'Great Sacrifices' on North Korea Issue -- The Diplomat
US must stop North Korea threats, says China, as Kim Jong-un aims for military 'equilibrium' -- The Guardian
Smuggled North Korea Clams Show China's Struggle to Stop Kim -- Bloomberg

Former Fed official Fisher: China could be the key to solving the North Korea crisis -- CNBC