North Korea: Not waving. Perhaps drowning : The Economist

[Mell]

''It is a relationship that leaves a lot to be desired from China’s point of view. China’s rulers had no choice but to fete Kim Jong Il and his entourage as, earlier this month, he stepped off a lavish train in Beijing to plead for financial help for a country that his economic “reforms” have brought close to ruin. ''
'' Fears of escalation, as both North and South Korea curbed cross-border trade, helped to rattle global financial markets this week, including Shanghai’s. ''
''But the drawbacks of cosseting an unruly ally have long been outweighed for China by the fear of what would happen if the regime running North Korea were to collapse. ''
etc etc
Quote from North Korea: Not waving. Perhaps drowning | The Economist

Is the end of N. Korea near, or will China come to their rescue? What is your opinion?

 

[jujuman13]

''It is a relationship that leaves a lot to be desired from China’s point of view. China’s rulers had no choice but to fete Kim Jong Il and his entourage as, earlier this month, he stepped off a lavish train in Beijing to plead for financial help for a country that his economic “reforms” have brought close to ruin. ''
'' Fears of escalation, as both North and South Korea curbed cross-border trade, helped to rattle global financial markets this week, including Shanghai’s. ''
''But the drawbacks of cosseting an unruly ally have long been outweighed for China by the fear of what would happen if the regime running North Korea were to collapse. ''
etc etc
Quote from North Korea: Not waving. Perhaps drowning | The Economist

Is the end of N. Korea near, or will China come to their rescue? What is your opinion?

It depends on whether China is prepared to have a united Korea which would have a semblance of being run as a Democratic Nation and one that presumably would be more closely allied to the West than it would to China.
China is as fearful of being surrounded by possible enemy Nations as is Russia (Probably purely circumstancial that they are both either Communist of ex Communist states).
Were such a Democratic Nation to be a neighbor of China, it might be supposed that China would be extremely fearful of that dreaded contagious desease (Democracy) spreading through it's own population with ever increasing strident demands.
There again, how long China would be prepared to put up with the stupidity of a regime that cares not if it's actions could lead to a World War, is something only the Chinese Leaders can decide.
I have my doubts they will put up with much more of this lunatic's behavior.