It has been reported that North Korea will conduct its fourth and fifth nuclear tests this year. Since there are no channels to alleviate the confrontation between Pyongyang and the international community, it's possible that North Korea will continue its reckless move to develop nuclear power. If so, a more complicated and chaotic situation in Northeast Asia can be anticipated.

China is facing a difficult diplomatic problem. Its only choice is to avoid worsening the situation. China opposes North Korea's nuclear tests and should express its opposition clearly through actions despite Pyongyang's discomfort. China should inform Pyongyang that if it continues to conduct nuclear tests, assistance will be further reduced. But China is still North Korea's friend. This means China won't join hands with the US, South Korea and Japan to blockade North Korea on land and sea and will oppose any UN resolutions that threaten the North Korean regime. China opposes North Korea possessing nuclear power, but won't see a sharp turn in its attitude to Pyongyang. 

The North Korea nuclear issue is very complicated. China alone is unable to loosen this knot. It should bear corresponding responsibility in realizing denuclearization on the peninsula and guarantee Pyongyang's security according to its ability.  The international community should never give up on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and never acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear power. Pyongyang's nuclear weapons cannot pose a strategic deterrence to its neighbors. They may intimidate adversaries, but are unable to turn Pyongyang into an aggressive country. North Korea is the weakest country in Northeast Asia. This won't change regardless of whether it has nuclear power or not.

North Korea will become more isolated if it still insists on the nuclear path. Although China won't stand together with the US, South Korea and Japan, it is under no obligation to help North Korea extricate itself from its isolation. North Korea is a small country, but has been treated as a big power by itself as well as the outside world. Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have exaggerated North Korea's threats, threatening it with greater containment. Pyongyang is seeking a strategic tool only big powers can afford.  Confronting a powerful group will only leave North Korea trapped by its own strategy.

North Korea should be treated as a small country and relevant countries should help it benefit from Northeast Asia's prosperity. They should understand the North Korean regime's concerns over peaceful transition. The US, Japan and South Korea should give up their attempt to overthrow the North Korean regime. Pyongyang's tough attitude on developing nuclear power is a reflection of its sense of insecurity. Relevant countries should conduct their diplomacy based on this fact.  

China cannot dominate the development of the Northeast Asian situation, but it should stick to a clear stance: A country's attitude, cooperative or otherwise, will determine China's actions against it.