In the Agora: China Privately Condemns North Korea

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February 13, 2005

China Privately Condemns North Korea

In postings on Internet chatboards, articles in state-run newspapers, and talks with American diplomats, the government of the People's Republic of China is reacting against North Korea's declaration this past week that it is a nuclear-weapons state. The DPRK's announcement came as a surprise to Beijing, which is now calling for the "denuclearization" of the peninsula. This dramatic position is important, because it is China--more so than the U.S.--that has the leverage necessary to move Pyongyang's nuclear policy: Much of the Hermit Kingdom's food and energy comes from its largest neighbor.

Advocates of 'moral clarity' take heed: America's negotiating position is dependent upon the reactions of another Communist country.

Posted by Paul Musgrave at February 13, 2005 06:21 AM

Comments

The number of times that North Korea has refused the wishes of China is finally catching up to it. The sympathetic posts and articles will continue to dry up as North Korea tries to game everyone while China has at least caught onto the necessity of economic modernization.

Posted by: Jim S at February 14, 2005 01:13 AM | permalink

While I am glad that China is being cooperative, I don't have much hope for "negotiations" of any sort with this regime (lesson = Albright's toast with Kimmy). It seems to me that they either capitulate or sanctions are inevitable.

Posted by: Rick Brady at February 14, 2005 01:43 AM | permalink