China may back coup against Kim

The Sunday Times ^ | October 16, 2006 | Michael Sheridan, Beijing

[.cnI redruM]

THE Chinese are openly debating "regime change" in Pyongyang after last week's nuclear test by their confrontational neighbour.

Diplomats in Beijing said at the weekend that China and all the major US allies believed North Korea's claim that it had detonated a nuclear device. US director of national intelligence John Negroponte circulated a report that radiation had been detected at a site not far from the Chinese border.

The US may have employed highly classified satellite technology to detect tiny leaks of gas or elements associated with nuclear detonation, according to a diplomatic source in the Chinese capital. This would explain Washington's reluctance to explain the findings in public.

[.cnI redruM]

An intresting idea, but there are two hitches.

1) The Chinese are way more risk-averse than the US and Russia.

2) China's military may screw it up. It could very well be their Bay of Pigs.

[dfwgator]

Riiiiiight!

[Proud_USA_Republican]

I have no faith in China's intentions. Russian and Chinese oil companies have quietly been doing deep water oil drilling tests off the korean coast lines.

The Chinese would just put in some pro-China stooge who would still keep the NK blocked off from SK. The million person army would be replaced by million person slave labor force for Chinese companies.

[SevenofNine]

OHH NORTH Korea ping list

[50sDad]

[GEEK] Sometimes China reminds me of Pierson's Puppeteers.

[/GEEK]

[End Times Sentinel]

I dunno.  MAYBE if they get that wall between them and NK set up.  I'd think one of the last things China wants is a million refugees pouring across the border.

Owl_Eagle

If what I just wrote made you sad or angry,
it was probably just a joke.

[avacado]

...and John Kerry just came out and told Chris Wallace on FOX News that the USA needs to abandon China and go for bilateral talks! What a moron!

[Wingrider]

I wouldn't put it past the North Koreans from spiking a non nuclear blast with radioactive materials to APPEAR as if they had detonated a nuclear device.

[sarasota]

I don't believe in the sincerity of the Chinese.

[sarasota]

John is just trying to get attention now that he's decided me "may" run.

[Always Right]

The same Chinese who can not even support strong sanctions are going to support a regime change. Somehow does not pass the smell test. Wish it were true, but highly unlikely.

[bobjam]

Why would China need a coup? They already run North Korea.

[ChocChipCookie]

I don't trust the Chinese, but my own personal hatred for that monster in North Korea outweighs that distrust. I'd love to see him fall. Hard. And I don't think the lives of the North Koreans could possibly be any worse under the Chinese.

[Oberon]

The Chinese would just put in some pro-China stooge who would still keep the NK blocked off from SK. The million person army would be replaced by million person slave labor force for Chinese companies.

Not to be obtuse about it, but wouldn't that be better for the US than the current status quo?

[Red Badger]

Bay of Sweet & Sour Pork............

[misterrob]

Yeah but prices would get in cheaper at Wal-Mart

[tioga]

China is planning a secret coup in NK, shhhhhhhh, pass it on......

[sarasota]

Just more bluster from China.

[gotribe]

Wouldn't have happened under the Agreed Framework of bilateral negotiations.