China is literally the artery to Kim Jong Il's regime. If the Middle Kingdom were to pull the plug on North Korea, the Hermit Kingdom might not last. But don't count on it. Beijing's solution was outlined by its foreign ministry on Monday (October 9): "The Chinese Government calls on all parties concerned to be cool-headed in response and persist in seeking a peaceful solution through consultation and dialogue. China will continue to make every effort towards this goal."

Soon after North Korea had launched some missile firework to celebrate America's birthday this past July, General Guo Boxiong, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission came to Washington to tell the Americans:

"We only learned of North Korea's missile tests on July 5 through U.S. intelligence broadcast by the media. At that time, I myself and the relevant people in our government were all very surprised. North Korea is a sovereign state. We can't force it to do or not to do things... Let me be honest with you. What will North Korea do next? China doesn't know. I also don't know."

If Guo's statement is true, Beijing has no influence over Pyongyang. If the statement isn't true, Beijing thinks the Americans are the worst suckers on earth. In either case, China won't be helpful at all in disarming the North Koreans. However, the U.S. has been reduced to relying on China -- the other side's best friend -- to craft a solution critical to its future. "What kind of policy is that?" asked Gordon Chang, author of "Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes On the World."

Once again, the serious responsibility of doing something falls on the shoulder of the only member of the international community which has both the will and might to do so. Only the U.S. can save Tokyo from being nuked now.