China’s exports to North Korea grew nearly 20 percent in the first half of the year, according to the Korea International Trade Association on Wednesday, despite its promises to crack down and impose international sanctions.China’s exports to the

Source: Beijing’s exports to Pyongyang swell 18%-INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

This should come as a surprise to no-one.

Beijing’s endgame with North Korea is clear: drain Pyongyang and its leadership regime – the Kim family – of every last penny of hard currency or valuable goods possible. Then, and only then, bring down the boot, and on Beijing’s terms, not Washington’s.