Opposed Systems Design

China’s official views on North Korea have appeared divided, say the U.S. officials, who said they spent “hours” during their visit trying to gain China’s insights into North Korea’s recent actions and the mindset of its ailing leader, Kim Jong Il. “The Chinese seem frustrated” with Mr. Kim, said a senior U.S. official who took part in the talks.
Many Chinese analysts say they believe leaders in Beijing have grown exasperated with Mr. Kim, who embarrasses them with his nuclear theatrics and has shown little inclination to copy Chinese market-led overhauls.Beijing’s differing views on the North appear to be based both upon the age of Chinese officials and their place in government. One U.S. official said older Chinese officials who dealt with Mr. Kim’s father, Kim Il Sung, remember him as largely predictable and responsive to Chinese influence. “He was more pliant,” the official said they were told. Kim Jong Il, in contrast, appears to the Chinese as unpredictable and elusive.

Source: Jay Solomon and Andrew Browne, “Beijing Is Shifting On Korea, U.S. Says,” WSJ, May 27 2010, p 8.