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4/4/13

North Korea:"the calm before the storm" - China obliged to defend North Korea under 'friendship' treaty

North Korean threats to launch a nuclear attack on the United States have left its closest ally, Beijing, in a difficult position.

Under a treaty signed half a century ago, China is obliged to “render military and other assistance by all means at its disposal” in the event North Korea comes under “armed attack by any state.”

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, China has been ambivalent about its commitment to the Sino-North Korean Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.

Thus while China took the unusual step last week of signing on to United Nations sanctions in response to North Korea’s third nuclear test, many experts believe there's little chance Beijing will truly abandon its “little brother” anytime soon.

Read more: China obliged to defend North Korea under 'friendship' treaty

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