China: Relations With North Korea Has Reached Lowest Point Since 1953

From the People's Daily Online, an official arm of the Chinese propaganda machine:

In short, we cannot simply "abandon" North Korea. No matter the nature of the regime in North Korea, China always has security interests in the Korean Peninsula. 
Beijing has already adjusted its policies toward North Korea. Targeting North Korea's unfriendly actions, which have threatened peace on the peninsula, China has issued warnings and punishments. The relationship between China and North Korea has reached its lowest point since 1953. 
Nevertheless, this does not mean that China wants to completely abandon North Korea.North Korea is not a satellite state of China. We cannot "abandon" it. China's punishment and sanctions on North Korea are aimed to maintain our own security interests. 

Wow. Not only did the Chinese provide political cover for the United States and our allies increasing our military presence on the troubled Peninsula and targeting the North Koreans strategically, but they all but threw their old friends in Pyongyang under the bus in this remarkably pointed article.

I'd be concerned if I happened to be in North Korean high command, because a military buildup or drills conducted by the United States or Seoul is normal every day life when your threatening both nations with thermonuclear obviation, but potential defection by your only protectorate state on the planet could mean continuous onslaught from the U.N. and even fewer precious resources, such as food, entering your land.

Things could be getting very interesting diplomatically on the Korean Peninsula as China's untrustworthy policy towards Pyongyang intensifies with further deterioration of politics within the Kim Jong-Un regime.

What say you?