BEIJING, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- China has so toughened its North Korea policy in the wake of that country's Oct. 9 nuclear test there's even talk of a regime change in the north.
Recent Chinese policy changes include a decision by four major banks to stop transfers and a two-third cut in food exports to North Korea which desperately needs them, reports Newsweek.
"I've never seen the Chinese leadership so resolved to be tougher towards North Korea," Zhu Feng, head of Peking University's international-security program, told Newsweek.
The report said there is even talk of a Beijing-friendly palace coup among some, which may not be difficult considering China provides 70 percent of the North Korea's energy needs. Some scholars, annoyed over North Korea's refusal to return the six-party talks on its nuclear program, want China to stop its aid.
Newsweek, citing a former U.S. Pentagon official, said moderate North Koreans who could replace Kim Jong-Il include those who believe that Chinese-style economic reforms would help modernize and transform their country.
Any successful coup in North Korea must also answer how the interests of China would differ from those of the United States and South Korea in a post-coup period, said the report.
