Northeast Asia

There are a lot of vested interests among the Chinese who trade with North Korea. Unless North Korea's actions directly threaten Chinese security or economic interests, it's futile for the U.S., South Korea and Japan to place their hopes on China to deliver a more cooperative North Korea. It's wishful thinking, especially with THAAD which is a loss of leverage for the Americans and South Koreans.

It is also a fact that Beijing cannot control the fast-changing adaptation of Chinese and North Korea business interactions. Since the sanctions, the traders have made the detection of commercial activities more difficult by increasing cash-only transactions and other less traceable forms of funding the commerce.

Even though China agreed to support US-led stringent sanctions, I believe China never intended to pull the rug from under the North Korean regime. Beijing is displeased with Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions and bombast, but Beijing worries more about instability in North Korea and maintaining stability in the Northeast China border region with North Korea.

There is no doubt in my mind and in the minds of anyone who understands foreign policy and East Asia that [Hillary] Clinton is the safer and more effective candidate for president, not only for Korea but for the rest of the world.

Unlike [Donald] Trump, [Hillary] Clinton understands geopolitics, has experienced diplomatic successes and failures, and firmly abides by the fact that alliance commitments are above individual presidents.

“Hong Kong is at a different point in its political and social development (compared with mainland China) and that allows a different policy position. China, in the Basic Law, granted Hong Kong people rights that are present in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and it granted the rule of law through an independent judiciary. All of those are precious assets and the United States should oppose any backsliding from what Hong Kong already has.”

“Experimenting with elections in Hong Kong and getting the bugs out of the system could be very useful in preparing (mainland) China for the day, which I hope will come, where it picks more leaders by genuine competitive elections."