North Korea Relies Upon China, but China is at a Crossroads

China is at a crossroads with its relationship to North Korea.

It's one time ally, North Korea has become more of a thorn in China's side recently and China doesn't know what to do about it. China has begun to act like North Korea's harried parent, unsure what to do about its problematic child.

North Korea's decision to shell South Korea has been condemned by China, as was North Korea's decision to be uranium enrichment, and it's later test of a nuclear war head. But China's condemnation doesn't seem to deter North Korea anymore.

This is a serious blow to China's growing stranglehold of influence and control on the Asian continent, especially when its a fellow Communist ally giving so much trouble. Yet North Korea represents China's past, a much more stringent adherence to communism than China's recent history of economic free trade with the U.S., and China doesnt want to endanger either.

China is the primary source of aid to Korea, as it sends in food to prop up the dictatorial government, but receives very little in tangible returns. However, if it didn't send in aid, there would be the very real possibility of North Korea's government failing, opening the door for South Korea (and backing them the U.S.) to reunite, and would lead to South Korea/the U.S. right on China's doorstep.

So China will continue with its confusing parenting style, at once rewarding Korea and then punishing it in the same breath with sanctions, until one or the other folds.

By Margaret Nunne