Marking the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the leaders of China and North Korea have pledged to enhance their bilateral cooperation. Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, expressed his unwavering commitment to the development of China-DPRK relations. Xi emphasized the significance of their long-standing partnership, highlighting numerous meetings, personal letters, and messages exchanged over the years.
Xi conveyed that China is eager to “write a new chapter” in their relations through increased communications and cooperation. China is North Korea’s largest trading partner, their bond strengthened by Beijing’s support for Pyongyang during the Korean War (1950-1953). However, China has been cautious about North Korea’s deepening ties with Russia, particularly after the signing of a strategic treaty that includes mutual defense elements.
In response to Xi’s message, Kim Jong Un also pledged to “steadily strive to consolidate and develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and China as required by the new era.” On the eve of the anniversary, Kim oversaw a live artillery firing by graduates of the O Jin U Artillery Academy, a facility that trains the backbone of North Korea’s artillery force. He also reiterated the country’s willingness to use all available offensive forces, including nuclear weapons, to defend its sovereignty.
The recent pledge of enhanced cooperation between China and North Korea comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. Just last month, Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, publicly denounced the United States’ decision to supply $8 billion in military aid to Ukraine, describing it as “an incredible mistake” and a perilous provocation against Russia, a nation armed with nuclear weapons. Kim’s recent pledge to further develop friendly and cooperative relations with China also follows his stark warning to South Korea, threatening nuclear retaliation if North Korea’s sovereignty is compromised.
These developments indicate a complex geopolitical landscape in the region, with China and Russia playing significant roles. The deepening partnership between China and North Korea, coupled with the ongoing tensions and threats of military action, raises questions about the future of the Korean Peninsula and the broader regional security landscape.
