Russia-North Korea pact could dent China’s influence, but Beijing still holds sway over both

BEIJING (AP) — With no obvious options, China appears to be keeping its distance as Russia and North Korea move closer to each other with a new defense pact that could tilt the balance of power among the three authoritarian states. Experts say China's leaders are likely fretting over a potential loss of influence over North Korea after its leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the deal this week, and how that could increase instability on the Korean Peninsula. Beijing may also be struggling to come up with a response to what could be the strongest…