Article by Cameron Spink

 

It is not often when the President of the United States feels out of his weight division but right now US President Barack Obama is facing off with Chinese President Hu Jintao about several important issues and he is clearly outmatched.

 

First, Obama encouraged President Hu to reconsider China's policy on human rights. Hu lent him an ear but will not be inclined to take any further action. And now Obama has "warned" China to put pressure upon North Korea to stop their east-Asian antics. While China certainly does not approve of North Korea's aggressive actions against the South there is no reason to think they will condemn them.

 

Perhaps China's only consideration is how they can manipulate this situation and how the instability of south-east Asia will effect them. Indeed, if they were really concerned about the tension between the two Korean states President Wu would have already stepped into the situation and chided its naughty ally.

 

In fact, Obama's warning sounds more like he is pleading with China's leader. And President Hu has no real reason to respond to Obama's request. After all, China's best tactical move may be to just let everything play out for a time. They no longer feel threatened by America's economy or its army. It could be that the only thing that gives President Hu pause is the nuclear capabilities of North Korea which, if used, would almost certainly solicit a dangerous reaction from the United States.

 

This begs the question as to what North Korea's intentions are. Because there is no transparency as to North Korea's politics it is difficult to gauge what they hope to achieve in all this mess. While they seem to want to talk to the South this may merely be noises to keep others from guessing their real intentions. It does appear that they are more than happy just creating havoc but it is more likely that they are up to something more devious than that. What it is, no doubt, will unfold in good time.

 

This leaves the US President in a completely powerless position. China has no reason to bow to America's requests and the United States has every reason to fear North Korea's next move. In fact, the United States must respond to this threat regardless of North Korea's intentions. They must deploy more troops to south-east Asia unless China can promise to keep the situation contained. China may be inclined to allow Obama's request but, do not be deceived, they will do it for self-interested purposes and not because of good intentions.

 

 

http://www.theage.com.au/world/china-told-to-toughen-line-on-north-korea-20110121-1a01f.html