China wants North Korea to freeze its missile program, which from Pyongyang’s perspective is the final step in completing its defense posture against attack by the U.S.

Beijing also wants the U.S. and South Korea to cease its annual joint exercises, which from Seoul’s and Washington’s perspectives are reasonable drills in preparation for another attack by the North.

Rational people can understand those opposing perspectives. However, what is not recognized is the reasoning behind China’s urging, and I do not refer merely to China’s wish to ratchet down the tensions that are bubbling to a dangerous level on the Korean