North Korean Provocations

"[Pyongyang's missile launch represents] a clear and sharp military escalation."
"Their actions are quickly closing off the possibility of a diplomatic solution."
Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador, United Nations

"[Kim Jong-un] feasted his eyes [on the missile, grinning and punching the air, celebrating] a gift to the American bastards."
"[The missile, he claimed] was handsome as a good-looking boy [representing the] final step [urging North Korea's scientists to keep right on sending] gift packages to the Yankees. [North Korea would continue to] demonstrate its mettle to the U.S. [never to negotiate its nuclear weapons aspirations]."
North Korean state new agency

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reacts with scientists and technicians of the DPRK Academy of Defence Science after the test-launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14. KCNA/via REUTERS

"The [U.S.] administration can give them [China] a choice: Do business with North Korea or have access to the U.S. financial system."
Anthony Ruggiero, North Korea expert, Foundation for the Defence of Democracies

China fears and hugely resents an American presence in their geography. For that reason alone it resists increasing economic pressure on its neighbour, envisioning the potential of a collapse bringing millions of desperate North Koreans seeking opportunities across their border. And the prospect of the two Koreas, North and South, re-amalgamating into one unit under the aegis of the United States represents another dreaded scenario to Communist China. American interference in its bailiwick complicates and threatens China's hegemonic regional power play.

So U.S. President Donald Trump who enjoyed an amicable meeting with China's President Xi Jinping in April, declaring the Chinese president his new friend, a reliable and willing ally with the United States against North Korean aspirations to achieve nuclear miniaturization and intercontinental ballistic missile power-of-threat, had a reprieve of a few months, basking in the understanding that China would exert its influence on its wayward neighbour. Unfortunately, the wayward neighbour listens to no outside source.

The intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 is seen during its test. Experts say a reliable nuclear-tipped ICBM would require a small warhead to fit a long-range missile, technology to protect against intense heat as it re-enters the atmosphere, separate the warhead and guide it to its target.KCNA/via REUTERS

And China also happened to increase its trade with North Korea in the last several months, belying its declared agreement that more of an effort to isolate and to challenge North Korea's aspirations would be undertaken in the interests of world stability -- and keeping the United States away from closer proximity to China. So now that President Trump is disabused of the quaint notion that President Xi is firmly in his corner, he has turned to countries employing migrant North Koreans whose wages are returned to their country of origin.

"Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40 percent in the first quarter. So much for China working with us -- but we had to give it a try!", he groused on Twitter. Give him credit for that; he did give it a try. Now, even Egypt has been urged to "stop hosting North Korean guest workers, and stop providing economic or military benefits to North Korea". Then there's also that little item whereby North Korea and the Islamic Republic of Iran are singing from the same hymnal, with one supporting the other.

And just incidentally, exchanging technical expertise and nuclear and missile scientists. A marriage made in deepest Hades.

The intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 is seen during its test launch in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. KCNA/via REUTERS