Reading the NY Times Editorial this morning made me shake my head.

China, which has abetted its neighbor’s excesses for too long, needs to ensure that the North’s bluster is only bluster. And it needs to tone down its own.

via Editorial – North Korea’s Latest Tantrum – NYTimes.com.

The North Korean government has successfully turned the carrot and stick idea on its head. Kim Jong-Il has successfully become the James Bond villain and knows that he’ll get more food, more fuel, or just more money.

While the Chinese government may be embarrassed by their neighbor’s behavior, there is not much reason for them to flex their muscle. Stability in the region is important but while it is the U.S. interests that does not translate into the interests of the Chinese government.

I do agree that the Chinese government could get involved differently, I just don’t believe they’ll do so because the west wants them to.