North Korea’s years of isolation and constant dependence on communist ally China, seem to have taken a toll on the deep yet, to some, a complicated relationship between the two neighbors. Beijing’s recent call of a nuclear-free North Korea provides clear signals to Pyongyang that its ideological partner is getting frustrated with an unstable Korean peninsula. China, it seems, wants to focus more on other important issues like the status of Taiwan.
With years of isolation and absence of proper outside aid due to economic sanctions, China is North Korea’s sole lifeline providing 70% of the country’s food and fuel at highly subsidized rates on humanitarian grounds. The leadership in Beijing knows that as long as Pyongyang’s isolation continues, the world’s fourth largest economy would gradually be stretched. China also has to support a number of North Korean refugees fleeing the harsh living conditions back home. This trend is set to continue if there is no improvement in relationship between North Korea and the rest of the world over its nuclear disarmament policy.
Apart from the economical side to the issue, there are great Chinese political and military interests involved in North Korea. A nuclear-armed North Korea would keep American interests firmly on the region and if there is no improvement to the North-South Korea dispute, American troops, stationed in South Korea, would continue to keep close eye on the security of the region further undermining Chinese militaristic role in Taiwan.
Another matter of concern to the Chinese is the issue of balance of power in the region. If at any instance, the North Koreans do not agree to go ahead with complete disarmament, Japan and South Korea, in order to reduce their own security risks, might pursuit similar kinds of weapons equaling the weight of power in the region to China’s horror.
China may be getting a bit frustrated and embarrassed with the North Korean leadership because the world knows that Beijing is the only big influence that can change Kim-Jong-Il’s arrogant policies and with minimal progress so far on the issue, the Asian giant is feeling the heat. After all a growing US influence in the region does not augur well for China’s geopolitical ambitions.
Link:Reuters
