China Far from Responsible Stakeholder

Walter Lohman / April 06, 2009

Initial Chinese reaction to the launch of North Korea’s missile, in clear violation of UN Security Council Resolutions, is true to form. They will go along with international consensus just as far as they need to in order to blunt it.

Last time around, in 2006, the PRC played the familiar role of North Korean patron state, even as they expressed concern over its missile launch and nuke test. It is precisely because the Chinese blocked action in the Security Council that would have permitted enforcement that we are back at the Security Council again with this problem. And it is highly unlikely that their position has changed. They are poised again to block any meaningful action. (more…)