China genuinely angry over NK`s latest launch threat

China appears anxious and perplexed over North Korea’s surprise announcement to launch a rocket. Pyongyang, which has received psychological and material support from Beijing, has effectively thrown cold water on the looming resumption of the six-way nuclear talks, which China had high expectations.

China`s state-run media Xinhua reported late Friday that Chinese Foreign Vice Minister Zhang Zhijun "expressed concern" over the North’s plan to launch its Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite in talks with North Korean ambassador to Beijing Ji Jae Ryong.

Zhang said, “China is paying keen attention to North Korea’s plan to launch a satellite and the world`s response,” adding, “China believes that maintaining stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia is the joint responsibility of the parties concerned and serves their common interests.”

Thus, the Chinese official effectively expressed Beijing’s internal discontent to Ji by using terms such as “concern” and “joint responsibility.”

Experts had predicted the possibility of China changing its stance, citing the proverb, “A mistakes should not be repeated three times.” More voices are urging Beijing to take a stern stance against Pyongyang`s third attempt at a “satellite gamble.”

An expert in Beijing said, “Chinese authorities didn`t call in the North Korean ambassador when the North announced its two previous satellite launches,” adding, “It means that China perceives the planned launch as a grave incident, and that Pyongyang held no prior consultations with Beijing whatsoever.”

China`s move is also seen as a warning against North Korea, whose surprise act came at a time when a fresh mood was to be established on the Korean Peninsula in the wake of China’s provision of aid to the North, and a North Korean-U.S. agreement on food aid to the Stalinist country.

China, however, will unlikely take immediate action, including the suspension of aid to the North, because Pyongyang could resort to extreme action such as a third nuclear test.