Chinese President Xi Jinping is reaching North Korea today on a two-day visit. He last visited Pyongyang in 2019. Jinping’s new visit is not just being considered a sign of friendship, but it is being seen as a strategic step. China and North Korea have long described their relationship as a blood friendship, dating back to the Korean War. But now there is no warmth between the two countries like before and there has been a decline in trust. North Korea is a very important neighbor for China. He can neither control it completely nor lose it.
China wants peace and stability along its border and North Korea remains under its influence. But the problem is that North Korea’s nuclear program often creates crises, which also troubles China. For this reason, Jinping’s visit is being considered not just as a friendship but also as an attempt to increase pressure and influence. South Korea believes that China wants to present itself as a mediator between America and North Korea.
Distance in China-North Korea relations
According to BBC report, China is concerned that military relations between North Korea and Russia are increasing rapidly. After meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, China now wants to ensure that North Korea does not completely fall under Russian influence. In the last few years, distance has also been seen in the relations between China and North Korea.
In 2024, the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries was celebrated in a very simple manner. Many high level meetings did not even take place. On the contrary, relations between North Korea and Russia strengthened rapidly. According to reports, North Korea has provided military assistance to Russia in the Ukraine war and in return it also received oil and economic assistance. There is also news of about 2,300 North Korean soldiers being killed during the war. This situation has become a cause of concern for China.
Disadvantages of increasing Russian influence?
There is still a formal defense agreement between China and North Korea, so Beijing does not want to lose Pyongyang completely under any circumstances. China fears that if Russia’s influence increases, its control may weaken. For this reason China has tried to improve relations. Jinping had invited Kim Jong Un to the military parade in Beijing in September last year. This was their first formal meeting after six years.
China does not openly support North Korea’s nuclear program, because it could further increase the military presence of America, Japan and South Korea, which is not in China’s interest. On the other hand, North Korea also does not want to depend only on China. He also wants to keep his options open by increasing relations with Russia and other countries. Both are necessary for each other, but are not completely reliable.
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