The Heat: China-DPRK relations

The Heat

China-DPRK flags

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was proclaimed in the aftermath of World War Two. And, in 1949, it established diplomatic relations with China.

The following year, Chinese troops came to the aid of the DPRK during the Korean War that saw the United States fighting on the side of the Republic of Korea in the south. A cease-fire agreement was reached in 1953 but a peace treaty was not signed and the war has never formally ended.


Both China and the DPRK share a common border that extends for 1300 kilometers.

And the country of about 25 million people conducts the major part of its trade with China. Both nations also have a long standing mutual aid and friendship treaty.

In recent years, as the DPRK sought to develop a nuclear program, China has played an important role in facilitating and promoting negotiations including the Six-Party Talks.

But, now as the DPRK continues to conduct nuclear and missile tests, that have resulted in additional U.N sanctions, what role can China play in helping to resolve the current crisis?

To discuss the issue:

  • Tong Zhao, a Fellow at The Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy
  • Brian Becker, a policy analyst on U.S.-DPRK relations
  • Zou Yue, a CGTN Anchor
  • Pepe Escobar, editor-at-large at Asia Times

 

For more: