The Pentagon stressed the talks were scheduled long before North Korea’s surprise missile launch in the early hours Wednesday in Asia. Officials insisted the dialogue wasn’t centred on North Korea or anything else in particular. The threat of a military confrontation is making China rethink its resistance to discussing contingencies involving North Korea, according to experts. “The Chinese side is very worried that if North Korea gets word it might turn them into a hostile neighbour,” said Frank Aum, a former Pentagon adviser on North Korea. Not only is North Korea a liability for China’s global standing, it also poses a nuclear risk on its doorstep.

Source: thestar November 29, 2017 21:45 UTC