China’s tough-love attitude toward ally North Korea after its nuclear test may bode well for the United States, which is after Beijing’s cooperation on Iran, Sudan and economic issues. Yet the Bush administration’s palpable surprise at China’s willingness to rebuke North Korea may reveal how easily Washington can misunderstand China and its motivations. So it may be a stretch to think China’s behavior toward impoverished North Korea may apply to oil-rich and nuclear-aspiring Iran, much less pocketbook issues such as trade, currency valuation and market reform. Full Story