China 'lacks leverage' over N. Korea: State media
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
Female members of a North Korean military band perform in celebration of the country's rocket launch in Pyongyang, North Korea Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
BEIJING (AFP) - Beijing lacks leverage over North Korea and will block moves for strong new sanctions for fear of weakening its position further, Chinese state media said on Thursday following Pyongyang's rocket launch.
China is the North's sole major ally, considered the nation with the most influence over Pyongyang, and after Wednesday's rocket flight US officials urged it to intervene.
But in an editorial on Thursday the state-run Global Times said: "China's ability to influence countries in the region is limited... The real problem is China's strength is not sufficient to influence its neighbour's situation."
Its headline read: "NK move shows China's lack of leverage."
