A South Korea detente derailed?

Only a week ago, South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited Beijing and pledged a “new start” after over a year of troubled relations. The visit was marred, however, by Chinese security agents seriously injuring some visiting journalists — including kicking one in the head — leading South Korea to demand an apology. No apology has been given. In fact, South Korea has reportedly felt a few more swipes to the face:

• “A fleet of 44 Chinese fishing boats” swarmed a South Korean coast guard boat in the country’s waters, prompting it to fire 249 warning shots, Reuters reports.
• China has banned tour groups from visiting South Korea, two tour groups confirmed to the Financial Times (paywall).

• Central Economic Work Conference
  The big picture from China’s most important economic meeting of the year / SCMP
  “The most senior members of China’s Communist Party have just wrapped up a three-day, closed-door meeting on where they think the Chinese economy should head.” The article is a list of the SCMP’s key takeaways — nothing surprising. Xinhua News Agency’s report on the conference is here.
• Sanctions on North Korea, or maybe not
  U.S. gives China draft proposal for tougher North Korea sanctions / Reuters
  Exclusive: China’s border city with North Korea eases tourism curbs / Reuters
• Energy policy
  How China’s clean air push backfired on Xi Jinping / Bloomberg