Picking sides

"South Korea is an important trading partner to us Mr. Kim, that will be all"

A non-violent solution brokered by China would be very impressive and would be evidence of a more aggressive approach to Chinese foreign policy.


I have mentioned before that invasion of North Korea by China is more than mere possibility, and now it appears they are signaling their interests...reunification next. China should attempt to absorb the penninsula and leave Japan as the major American ally in East Asia.

SEOUL — China's Premier Wen Jiabao Saturday called for talks on a
bilateral free-trade agreement with South Korea as the two countries
wrapped up a three-year joint feasibility study on the project.

"The two countries should start official talks on their free-trade
agreement in the future," Wen was quoted as saying by Yonhap news
agency at a meeting with South Korean business leaders in Seoul.

South Korea and China on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding,
agreeing to hold preliminary talks on sensitive sectors such as
agriculture before starting full-fledged negotiations on a free-trade
pact.

China has emerged as South Korea's largest trading partner, absorbing
some 24 percent of its total exports in 2009.