4 October 2006

Asian Proliferation

If I were Hu Jintao,this would have me more than a little vexed. If North Korea does test a nuclear device, the only rational strategic response for Japan and South Korea is to do the same. On a list of things that China does not want to see in international politics, a nuclear Japan had got to come in at number 2, maybe even tied for first with an independent Taiwan.

From China's point of view North Korea must be like an ugly and unpleasant dog that the kids left behind when they went away to college. It snarls at the postman, barks all night, bites you when you pet it and shits on the carpet, but you just can't quite bring yourself to throw the damn thing into the river.

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