Pyongyang

Now that North Korea has caught the world's attention with its nuclear shenanigans, some perspicacious commentators are saying that the new acid test for Sino-American relations, perhaps the most important bilateral relationship that exists, passes through Pyongyang. As goes China's ability to reign in its neighbour and ideological comrade, so goes trade and geopolitical harmony with Uncle Sam. Now where did you say Pyongyang is? How far is that from Reading? Meanwhile the media is reporting China has erected 20km worth of fencing along the Korean border in a week. When the industrial giant (panda) sets its mind to it, things happen. China fears an influx of economic refugees if things go from bad to worse for King Kong Ill, to only slightly butcher the man's name.