Background Information
The People’s Republic of China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) have been close allies since 1945. China and North Korea fought side by side in the Korean War and since then, have maintained a strong relationship of friendship and cooperation.
China and North Korea’s relationship is founded upon a shared ideology of communism, but political and economic reasons have also played a role. China has supported North Korea with resources, technology, and military backing throughout the years. In turn, North Korea has provided China with a buffer from the West and given China the opportunity to pursue its own interests in the region.
Relevant Data
According to a 2020 report by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, total bilateral trade between China and North Korea was around $6 billion in 2019. This included $2.6 billion in exports from North Korea, which is mostly minerals, fish and seafood, and textiles. North Korea has faced stringent economic sanctions by the United Nations Security Council which make this trade increasingly difficult. As a result, the trade relationship between the two countries has decreased significantly over the past few years.
Furthermore, in recent years, China has been increasingly critical of North Korea’s nuclear weapons development. Even though China is committed to maintaining its relationship with the hermit state, it has spoken out against North Korea’s nuclear weapons program numerous times. For example, in October of 2020, China notably abstained from a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning North Korea’s nuclear program.
Perspectives From Experts
Experts have noted that China’s relationship with North Korea is complex and multi-faceted. According to Narushige Michishita, a renowned international security expert, the two countries are bound together by the fact that they share a long history and a common ideology. He believes that Chinese foreign policy towards North Korea is largely motivated by a desire to maintain regional stability and protect its own interests.
Meanwhile, Bonnie Glaser, an expert on China-Asia relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says that China’s relationship with North Korea is motivated by a desire to prevent the reunification of the Korean Peninsula under a pro-West government. Glaser argues that North Korea serves as a powerful deterrence to the United States and its allies in the region, and as long as North Korea exists, reunification is impossible. In addition, she believes that China may be using North Korea as leverage in its negotiations with the United States over trade and other issues.
Analysis and Insights
China is North Korea’s most important ally and its only major trading partner. China has provided North Korea with vital support throughout the years, allowing North Korea to survive in the face of harsh economic sanctions. In return, North Korea has provided China with a buffer from the West and given China the opportunity to pursue its own interests in the region.
However, as North Korea continues to pursue its nuclear program, China has grown increasingly wary of its ally and is increasingly relying on economic and diplomatic pressure to try and force North Korea to take a different path.
Clearly, China and North Korea’s relationship is complex and highly contingent upon their respective interests. Although the two countries are allies, it is not a relationship of equals and China’s interests will always come first.
Impact on International Relations
The relationship between China and North Korea has had a huge impact on international relations in the region. North Korea’s nuclear weapons program has been a major source of tension for many years, and China’s support for North Korea has been seen as a major obstacle to resolving the issue.
Furthermore, North Korea’s relationship with China has emboldened the hermit state to continue its provocative behavior, such as missile tests and cyberattacks, with relative impunity. This has caused tensions between China and its allies, most notably Japan and South Korea, as well as the United States. Ultimately, this has put a strain on regional stability in the region.
Domestic Impact
Despite the strong economic ties between China and North Korea, the domestic impact of their relationship is much more complex. The average North Korean citizen continues to suffer from extreme poverty and a government majority of displacement and displacement. At the same time, freedom of expression, human rights, and religious freedom have been restricted, particularly since Kim Jong-un came to power in 2011.
Furthermore, the two countries have also seen increasing disagreement on political and ideological issues. For example, North Korea has been highly critical of China’s marketization and liberalization policies, which are seen as a threat to North Korea’s authoritarian system. In addition, China has been increasingly critical of North Korea’s pursual of nuclear technology for the purpose of militarization and has attempted to use economic and diplomatic pressure to convince North Korea to cease their activities.
Impact on China’s Image
The Chinese government’s relationship with North Korea has had a major impact on China’s international image. To many, China is seen as an enabler of North Korea’s isolationism, authoritarianism and human rights abuses. As a result, China has been criticized by many and has seen a decline in its standing in the international community.
At the same time, China has sought to improve its image by encouraging reform in North Korea and by distancing itself from the hermit state. China has sought closer ties with the West through economic and diplomatic means, and has sought to be seen as a cooperative and responsible international actor. However, many still view China’s relationship with North Korea as a major obstacle to improvement.
Impact on International Trade
The Chinese-North Korean relationship has had a major impact on international trade between the two countries. Despite the fact that China is North Korea’s most important trading partner, trade between the two countries has decreased in recent years due to United Nations sanctions. This has had a significant impact on North Korea’s already fragile economy, as it relies heavily on its exports to China for much of its hard currency.
Furthermore, China has been reluctant to completely cut off trade with North Korea, due to fears of instability in the region. This has resulted in China maintaining a complicated balancing act in its relationship with North Korea, as it attempts to uphold international law while also protecting its own interests.
Conclusion
The relationship between China and North Korea is complex and highly contingent on the respective interests of the two countries. Political and economic issues continue to complicate the relationship, but China remains committed to maintaining its relationship with North Korea in order to protect its own interests in the region. Ultimately, it is clear that China’s relationship with North Korea will continue to influence international relations in the region for years to come.
