North Korea’s first nuclear test in four years has heaped pressure on both the US and China, even as Pyongyang’s claim to have detonated a hydrogen explosion has been subjected to worldwide scepticism.
In the wake of yesterday’s test, the Obama administration faces the dilemma of how hard to push Beijing, Pyongyang’s chief ally and economic lifeline, to take action to convince North Korea to rein in its nuclear programme. Such a drive could strain Sino-US ties.
The Chinese government in turn must decide how much pressure to exert on Pyongyang so as to dissuade other regional powers worried by the test from rallying closer to the US. But Beijing also remains deeply concerned not to undermine the North Korean state.
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