On the contrary, acting tough is working - in the last month China has actually tried reigning Kim in. Even as recently as last night they (quite surprisingly)

On the contrary, acting tough is working - in the last month China has actually tried reigning Kim in. Even as recently as last night they (quite surprisingly) sided with the UN and killed about a third of North Korea's trade income. All of Kim's behavior in recent years points to a very strong will to preserve regime - countless executions, nuclear weapons, and his almost presidential security measures to avoid a South Korean decapitation strike. I don't think he legitimately wants to start a fight with anyone, doing so will be the end of him and his regime whether China intervenes or not.