American diplomats will point out to China that by putting a curb on Mr Kim they could help the United States reassure its ally, Japan, and help damp down any alarming talk of its rearming.

• 美国外交官员会点明著说，中国约束金日成，有助于美国安抚盟友日本，并且扑灭任何引起军备重整的危险言论。