By Hong Soon-do, Beijing correspondent, AsiaToday -The clash between China and the U.S. is escalating as the U.S. decided to impose direct sanctions on a Chinese company in connection with North Korea's nuclear and missile programs on Monday. If this is the case, the conflict between the two countries might sharpen, and this could lead to deepening U.S-China rift over North Korea sanctions. [The entrance of Hongxiang Group, the parent company of Hongxiang Industrial Development Company, which will face U.S.