Does China Still Back North Korea
The relationship between China and North Korea is one of the world’s most complicated and strained. China is North Korea’s largest trading partner and provides it with food, oil and other important resources. However, the relationship has been strained in recent years following North Korea’s nuclear testing program. While China’s support has been essential in preventing even greater tension in the Korean Peninsula, many experts have raised questions about the level of support China gives North Korea, and have questioned whether it is enough to keep North Korea in check.
China remains North Korea’s largest benefactor and most significant international partner. In addition to providing North Korea with a significant share of its implementation materials and hard currency, China is also the main political actor in the international arena, influencing the direction of international discourse on North Korea. Chinese support has largely been seen as a stabilizing factor for both countries and for the region as a whole. In recent years, China’s support for the hermit kingdom has remained overt, albeit cautiously.
China has played an important role in economic sanctions against North Korea. It was an important part of the support for United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1718, which imposed tough economic sanctions, including an arms embargo and a ban on international travel for ballistic missile technology. China has also worked to ensure compliance, sending independent enforcement missions to ensure the compliance of its trading partners with the terms of the sanctions.
Chinese officials have also been on record speaking out against North Korea’s nuclear development program. In 2017, China joined the United States in condemning North Korea’s weapons programs and urged the North Korean government to give up its nuclear ambitions. However, while China has made its position on the matter quite clear, some experts have raised questions about whether or not China is able to effectively pressure North Korea into changing its behavior.
China has also been cautious about its support for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. China does not recognize Kim Jong Un as the leader of North Korea, which has further strained their relationship. China has sought to maintain what it perceives as an acceptable balance between engagement and pressure, opting for the former where possible. China has also provided the North Korean government with financial aid, medical supplies and other forms of humanitarian assistance.
Despite the complexity of the China-North Korea relationship, some experts argue that China is still the most influential actor in the region. While some may argue that China still maintains a tacit support for North Korea, it is essential to recognize the many influences that China has in the region, both in terms of its diplomatic power and economic leverage. It has become increasingly difficult for North Korea to ignore China’s opinion when it comes to policy decisions and other international issues.
Effects of China’s Support on the Region
The Chinese government’s influence on North Korea should not be underestimated. Its economic and diplomatic leverage goes a long way in preventing the region from descending into further chaos. China is, after all, the largest trading partner for North Korea and has the ability to significantly affect the North Korean economy. China has, time and time again, persuaded North Korea to back away from certain actions that could increase tensions in the region.
China is also an important diplomatic partner for North Korea. While North Korea may no longer count on unconditional support, China’s diplomatic connections remain an important way to ensure the country remains at least somewhat engaged with the international community. It is hoped that through continued diplomatic engagement, North Korea will eventually be persuaded to halt its provocative actions and become a more responsible regional partner.
China’s considerable aid to North Korea also has its positive effects. Chinese economic aid helps to keep North Korea from complete collapse, which would likely bring further chaos to the region. China’s investment in North Korea also helps to improve infrastructure and make life easier for the average North Korean. Furthermore, China’s food aid has helped to prevent famine in North Korea.
Development of International Pressure on North Korea
Despite China’s attempts at engaging North Korea, the international community has had to step in to apply further pressure on the isolated country. The United Nations has imposed economic sanctions in an attempt to pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear ambitions. The international pressure has also been successful in preventing North Korea from engaging in aggressive military actions. North Korea has also been pressured to increase its level of transparency, particularly regarding its disarmament efforts.
In addition to these international discussions, North Korea has also begun to receive more direct pressure from its neighbors. South Korea and the United States have increased the pressure on North Korea, with South Korea going as far as to impose sanctions of its own. China and Japan have also been pushing for North Korea to take further steps towards denuclearization. While China’s support for North Korea has been an important stabilizing factor, it is clear that international pressure is playing an increasingly important role in forcing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to reconsider his country’s behavior.
North Korea’s Nuclear Program
North Korea’s nuclear weapons program has been a major point of contention between China and the international community. China has long maintained that the nuclear program should not be used as a pretext for military action or regime change in North Korea. Despite this, China has taken a relatively hard line against North Korea’s nuclear activities, calling for a complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.
Moreover, China has also supported the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions related to North Korea’s nuclear activities. China has also been supportive of non-proliferation efforts in the region, working to ensure that any nuclear weapons potential in North Korea is eliminated.China has also been an important partner in the Six-Party Talks that have attempted to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.
Relationship Between China and the United States
China’s relationship with the United States has been strained due to their diverging views on how to handle North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. China favors a diplomatic solution that would achieve a peaceful resolution, while the United States has favored a more hard-line approach. Despite this, the two countries have continued to cooperate economically, militarily, and diplomatically in order to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Korean crisis.
In the past, the two countries have been able to find common ground in the form of economic assistance to North Korea and the provision of assistance to solve the refugee crisis in the region. However, cooperation between the two countries has been limited, given the current political situation in the United States. As North Korea continues to escalate its provocations, the relationship between China and the United States may remain strained.
The Future of China and North Korea
China and North Korea have had a long and complex relationship that has often been fraught with tension. Despite this, China remains one of the only international actors that can influence North Korean policy. China’s assistance and economic aid are essential to preventing the further deterioration of the political situation in the region. However, it is clear that international pressure and more direct engagement from other nations will be necessary if North Korea is to abandon its nuclear ambitions and become a responsible actor on the international stage.
The future of the relationship between China and North Korea remains uncertain. As North Korea continues to engage in provocative behavior, China will have to continue to make difficult decisions regarding its support for the hermit kingdom. It is clear that China’s support is essential in preventing further chaos in the region, but it remains to be seen how much more China will be willing to do in order to ensure North Korea’s compliance with international standards.
