N Korea, China ties undergoing difficult phase ahead of armistice anniversary

BEIJING: Sixty years after the armistice, ties between China and the DPRK, once described as being "as close as lip and teeth", are undergoing a difficult phase.

Analysts said that, the relationship is at its lowest point since North Korea's third nuclear test at the beginning of 2013.

In the conflict between 1950 and 1953, China sent hundreds of thousands of its soldiers to the Korean peninsula to reinforce North Korean troops that had been pushed back almost to the Chinese border.

Beijing also contributed to the resulting armistice, forging an alliance frequently described as "sealed in blood".

Former Chinese leader Mao Zedong's eldest son Mao Anying died fighting on the Korean peninsula -- embodying the ties between China and the DPRK.

The strength of that relationship however, has been eroding over the last 60 years -- something especially evident since the beginning of this year, when China took a stronger stance against North Korea after its third nuclear test by backing tougher UN sanctions and cutting off dealings with North Korean banks.

Professor Shi Yinhong from the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, said: "I think since the armistice, China's relations with the DPRK is generally quite dynamic -- dynamic in a negative sense.

"Because of North Korea's highly threatening attitude and stubbornness with regards to peace in the peninsula and also because of North Korea's Kim Jong Un, most of the time taking a very unfriendly attitude to China."

China has been feeling quite spurned by the young North Korean leader Kim Jong Un -- he has ignored China's calls for a stable and peaceful neighbourhood, carrying out two rocket launches and a nuclear test over the past one and a half years. This is seen as not giving face to China and taking Beijing's friendship for granted.

In an attempt to mend fences with Beijing, Pyongyang has in recent months sent high-level envoys to China for talks. Chinese vice president Li Yuanchao is also in Pyongyang at the invitation of the DPRK to attend the 60th anniversary of the armistice -- the highest-ranking Chinese leader to visit North Korea since Kim Jong Un became leader.

This could be an important chance for bilateral talks and might signal a re-affirmation of ties.

However, given Pyongyang's insistence on nuclear and missile development, analysts said China would be more skeptical.

Prof Shi said: "I don't think that China will return to its past approach... That it has 100 per cent forbearance. I think that in this sense, China's policies, attitudes and approach to North Korea has really substantially changed and it's very difficult to return to the past, (after) very unsuccessful policies and the approach taken by the previous Chinese administration."

As its global power rises, China is also facing international pressure to play its role in reining in Pyongyang.

Current Chinese president Xi Jinping is known to be more pragmatic and has been seen to be less tolerant towards North Korea's provocations. Mr Xi also re-emphasised China's commitment to denuclearisation in his recent meeting with with his US counterpart Barack Obama.

But what has not changed is China's interest to maintain Pyongyang as a crucial buffer against US influence in the region, as well as to prevent the swarming of North Korean refugees across its long, shared border.

For the same reasons it participated in the Korean war some 60 years ago, China is unlikely to cut Pyongyang adrift, even as it pushes North Korea harder to reform.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/n-korea-china-ties/757560.html

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