A Chinese expert on Korean Peninsula affairs says North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s visit to China did not close a rift between North Korea and China.

Professor at Peking University’s School of International Studies Zhu Feng said in an Asia Security Initiative blog entry published by the Macarthur Foundation that the visit highlighted a distinct rift between Beijing and Pyongyang.

According to Zhu, Kim was attempting to see if the Chinese would open their wallets, while Chinese leaders used the occasion to press North Korea on its flexibility.

He said that the reality is that Kim does not want to be obligated to continue a relationship with China that is highly regularized.

Zhu said that unfortunately for both, the standoff will continue.