In a matter of days, the situation on the Korean peninsula appears to have switched from the brink of war to hope for new dialogue. The North’s restraint over the past week and the South’s new willingness to resume six-party talks, however, may owe more to Chinese efforts than a volte-face by Seoul.

According to Jin Canrong, associate dean of the school of international studies at Renmin University, China’s influence “has definitely been a factor”.

And although Beijing has been at pains to avoid the impression that it was acting under US pressure to persuade Pyongyang to stop its belligerence, Washington’s hand was also apparent. “When [James Steinberg US deputy secretary of state] visited Beijing two weeks ago, his attitude was quite stern, so China went and made some stronger effort [to lobby Pyongyang]”, Professor Jin said.