From Beijing, stern words for an uneasy ally - China seen toughening stance against N. Korea nuclear development (Via Instapundit)


It seems China may actually be changing from its frustratingly silent stance on North Korea, to actually applying a little behind-the-scenes pressure to Kim's regime. The Bush adminisitration has been looking to China to start putting some of its diplomatic clout with the DPRK to get it to stop the nuclear sabre-rattling. So far, China has made it clear that it felt it was none of its business. That may be changing, as this article, worth reading in full, notes.

BEIJING - For three straight days in recent weeks, something remarkable happened to the oil pipeline running through northeast China to North Korea - the oil stopped flowing, according to diplomatic sources, temporarily cutting off a vital lifeline for North Korea.


The pipeline shutdown, officially ascribed to a technical problem, followed an unusually blunt message delivered by China to its longtime ally in a high-level meeting in Beijing last month, the sources said. Stop your provocations about the possible development of nuclear weapons, China warned its neighbor, or face Chinese support for economic sanctions against the regime.[...]