North Korean attack on South Korea pushes China's patience

North Korea's powerful neighbour keen to ensure country doesn't collapse at same time as maintaining trade links with South

It is only weeks since China's leaders commemorated the 60th anniversary of its entry into the Korean War and the "friendship established in battle" with the North.

But the last week's events demonstrate that its neighbour and ally is more often a source of frustration than sympathy these days. Indeed, Beijing's cautious response to the artillery attack – refusing to ascribe blame and calling on all sides to show restraint – should not be mistaken for approval.

"Of course they [Chinese leaders] will be angry. But they are angry in their hearts – not publicly," said Shi Yinhong, professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing. "It is hard to find the delicate balance between relations with the North and the South. It is also hard to balance international expectations and China's trait of not openly condemning or pressing North Korea hard," added Zhu Feng, professor of international relations at Peking University, though he warned that Beijing's patience would run out if the North continued to act provocatively. Continue Story At The Link below >  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/24/north-korea-attack-south-korea-china

Share25 Tania Branigan in Beijing guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 24 November 2010 21.32 GMT Article history








Houses destroyed in the North Korean attack on Yeonpyeong island: China has shied away from condemning the attack. Photograph: Dong-A Ilbo/AFP/Getty Images