China and North Korea: From Comrades-in-Arms to Allies at Arm's Length Offers a current analysis of the long-term relationship between China & N. Korea & its effect on the U.S. & the region. Although the China-N. Korea relationship has been a very strong one for decades, China is losing its ability to influence N. Korea. The two countries fought as allies in the Korean war & share a common border & ideology, but China's unwillingness to apply pressure to N. Korea & the fact that N. Korea might not respond to that pressure shows the limits to their relationship. There are significant limitations on China's influence both in terms of what actions Beijing would be prepared to take & what impact this pressure can have. Therefore, N. Korea is unlikely to mend its ways anytime soon. |
