How long before U.S. patience on North Korea runs out? – China’s latest political and current affairs news

“Trump hasn’t yet concluded that he needs to take extreme measures against China,” Axios reported on September 17, but that sure seems like the way things are headed. Take into consideration:

• Top diplomats, as well as the presidents of both sides have signalled that they are essentially in a holding pattern while the recent sanctions go into effect. Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, said to CBS that America is “leaving it in China’s hands at this point,” and that he is “waiting for the regime of North Korea to give us some indication that they’re prepared to have constructive, productive talks.” Cui Tiankai 崔天凯, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, emphasized that China would implement the sanctions, “no more, no less,” Bloomberg reports. Trump and Xi then verbally confirmed this status quo in a phone call in which they agreed to pressure North Korea via enforcement of sanctions, according to SCMP.
• China has likely applied the maximum amount of pressure on North Korea it is comfortable with, but both sides remain unsatisfied with the other side’s supposed obstinance. American officials think that China hasn’t sacrificed enough with sanctions, and Chinese officials want the U.S. to start negotiations with North Korea. Barring a change in sanctions — either spotty implementation or significant strengthening — or change in North Korean behavior, the next move is likely U.S. financial sanctions and tariffs targeting Chinese banks and businesses that are connected to North Korea.
• China knows it is a likely target of the U.S., and is guarding against such attacks. The foreign ministry again commented that China “does not hold the key to resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue” and said, “it is irresponsible and unhelpful for the settlement of the issue to unjustly blame others.” Cui Tiankai, meanwhile, added that “slapping sanctions on China, I think would be off-target.”

• More on North Korea
  The rare, potent fuel powering North Korea’s weapons / NYT (paywall)
  Korean peninsula draws range of military drills in show of force against North Korea / Reuters
  Chinese North Koreans provide bridge to outside world / FT (paywall)
  Trump’s claim there were long gas lines in North Korea has residents puzzled / Washington Post
• Myanmar
  Despite outrage over Rohingya crisis, few call for sanctions on Myanmar / NYT (paywall)
  “One factor that may increase China’s support for the military crackdown is the recent opening of a Chinese-operated oil terminal at Kyaukpyu port in southern Rakhine State. While the military’s campaign is being carried out in the north of Rakhine, China would be concerned if the violence expanded and imperiled the terminal, Ms. Sun said.”
  New diplomatic missions signal Chinese support for Myanmar amid Rohingya crisis / SCMP
  Aung San Suu Kyi gains popularity with Chinese netizens / Global Times
• U.S.-China relations
  Trump’s top trade negotiator calls China ‘unprecedented’ threat / Bloomberg
  U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer gave his first major public speech since he took his position in May this year. Bloomberg reports that his comments “may damp speculation that the departure of White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, a staunch economic nationalist, would lead to a less hawkish tone on trade from the White House.”
  Trump move to block chipmaker deal bad for America – Xinhua / Reuters
  China’s Ant Financial pushes U.S. to approve MoneyGram deal / Bloomberg
  How rich Chinese use visa fixers to move to the U.S. / Bloomberg Businessweek (paywall)
• Environment
  Chinese capital bans winter construction to improve air quality / Reuters
  China to send over 100 pollution inspection teams to cities around Beijing / SCMP
  China charges 9 people for dumping toxic waste / Bloomberg
• 19th Party Congress
  China to amend party constitution at October congress / Reuters
  Xi Jinping’s political thought will be added to China’s constitution, but will his name be next to it? / SCMP
  Space official takes charge of Chinese military equipment development programme / SCMP
  China bans brokerage CEOs from time off, trips amid congress / Bloomberg