Navy ship sinking puts Beijing on the spot

The Korea Times ^ | 5/03/2010 | Sunny Lee

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

As South Korea is likely to bring the matter of the deadly sinking of the warship Cheonan to the United Nations Security Council amid growing suspicions of North Korean involvement, China is also becoming the focus of attention as a veto-wielding permanent council member.

"Obviously, the incident puts South Korea on the spot. But it also puts China on the spot too because China has been endlessly indulging North Korea," Aidan Foster-Carter, honorary senior research fellow in sociology and modern Korea at Leeds University told The Korea Times.

The Cheonan, a navy frigate, was on a routine patrol on March 26 when an explosion split it in two and killing 46 sailors.

North Korea denied any involvement, but suspicion remains high given the country's history of provocation and attacks on South Korea.

Beijing is Pyongyang's key ally and also its virtual lifeline for food and energy.

"Every time North Korea does anything, China always smiles and rubs its hands," said Foster-Carter.

Observers view China as predisposed to support North Korea for fear of chaos on the border and a deluge of refugees crossing it. However, Foster-Carter said, when it becomes "virtually clear" that the reclusive state committed the crime, then that would put the growing regional power in a "very hard position."

"China will be very much squeezed. In a way the international community will judge China, just like in other international issues such as the Iranian nuclear program," said Foster-Carter.

[Bean Counter]

Fine. Take this to the UN Security Council, but show up loaded for bear and and go straight for North Korea’s jugular. They need to bring detailed pictures of the damage and show the world exactly what the evidence shows in the most graphic and easy to understand way possible.

Leave no doubt in anyone’s mind who did this no matter how the final vote goes. The evidence will go viral on the internet and that is not in China or NoKo’s favor either.

[Ronin]

It’s a curious dilemma for China because, on the one hand, the DPRK is a long-term political ally, while on the other, the ROK is a much more important trading partner. A major percentage of the petrochemicals used in China’s factories are cracked in Korea.

Furthermore, it’s very true that China’s goals for regional influence and hegemony are at least partially at stake, because all the other nations in this region of the world wonder if China can ever be a fair broker in regional conflicts.

Siding with the ROK in condemning the DPRK in an attack they know damn well was ordered in Pyongyang would give Beijing a lot of credibility in Asian capitals from Tokyo to New Delhi. This is goodwill they really need because China’s longterm intentions for the regions have virtually everyone nervous.