China Draws Line for North Korea

Although China generally seems not to care about helping the U.S. in its 6-party talks to deal with North Korea, it has reportedly said there will be "grave consequences" for North Korea if it conducts a nuclear test.

Quoting sources from the stalled six-party negotiations, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported the Chinese had delivered the Pyongyang regime its sharpest warning against exploding a nuclear device.

"The Chinese Government has strongly warned and urged against the carrying out of a nuclear test," according to a source quoted by Kyodo, who also said the diplomatically menacing phrase "grave consequences" had been used.

Because China is almost the sole provider to North Korea, it carries significant influence. In my opinion, the U.S. and Japan should tell China that Japan is going nuclear in next year if the North Korean situation is not resolved. I have a feeling China would then be a little bit more helpful than they have been thus far.