Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
SM baner

Vol. 73 No. 3 (2020): Westlessness czyli zmierzch Zachodu 2.0?

Azja Wschodnia

Sino-North Korean relations under Xi Jinping’s rule – a rough friendship or a long-term partnership?

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35757/SM.2020.73.3.03
Submitted: June 4, 2021
Published: March 30, 2021

Abstract

The main purpose of my considerations will be to present the most important determinants and relationships that characterize China-North Korea relations during the presidency of Xi Jinping. Based on the available literature on the subject, I would like to try to answer the question whether the relations of the two entities should be considered as rough friendship or long-term partnership. In addition, I intend to state whether mutual ties should be expected in the future.
At the beginning I will describe the relations between China and North Korea during the Cold War, when both countries fought in the Korean conflict against the United States and the United Nations. In addition, it would be appropriate to look at the relations of both entities from 1955 to the fall of the USSR, when the North Korean dictator, Kim Il-sung, as part of his doctrine of independence (Juche) balanced in foreign policy between China and the Soviet Union. Post-Cold War times and Beijing’s relationship with Pyongyang will also be of interest to me until 2013, when the North Korean nuclear program became an increasingly contentious issue. In the rest of the work, it will be important to describe the relationship of both countries since Xi Jinping took power in China and Kim Jong Un in North Korea. At that time, despite official declarations of cooperation, relations between the two countries remained cool. It was only the direct negotiations between North Korea and the United States since 2018 that increased its importance in Chinese policy, as evidenced by the visit of the to Pyongyang discussed in the text in June 2019. In the article I intend to raise economic contacts between both entities.
In summary, I am trying to answer the question of how relations between China and North Korea will develop in the future. I intend to assess whether the growing role of the DPRK in an international configuration it can contribute to wider, strategic ties with Beijing.

References

  1. Akiyama N., Maintaining alliances after Trump–Kim summit diplomacy, [w:] Geopolitical implications of a new era on the Korean Peninsula, eds N. Akiyama, P. M. Cronin, A. M. Denmark, Y. Soeya, dostępny w internecie [dostęp: 21 IV 2020]: <https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/asia_190208_geopolitical_implications_of_a_new_era_on_the_korean_peninsula_report_web.pdf>.
  2. Albert E., The China-North Korea relationship, Council on Foreign Relations, 25 VI 2019 [dostęp: 05 V 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-north-korea-relationship>.
  3. Barannikova A., United States–dprk relations – is normalization possible?, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington 2019.
  4. Bayer J., Dziak W., Korea&Chiny, tom 1: Strategia i polityka, ISP PAN, Warszawa 2006.
  5. Bisley N., What’s China’s relationship with North Korea really like, La Trobe University, dostępny w internecie [dostęp: 11 iv 2020]: <https://www.latrobe.edu.au/nest/whats-chinas-relationship-north-korea-really-like>.
  6. Boc A., Does China’s ‘alliance treaty’ with North Korea still matter?, „The Diplomat” [online], 26 VI 2019 [dostęp: 14 V 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://thediplomat.com/2019/07/does-chinas-alliance-treaty-with-north-korea-still-matter>.
  7. Cathcart A., Green C., Xi’s belt: China-North Korea relations, [w:] Chinese foreign policy under Xi. Politics in Asia, ed. T. B. Hoo, Routledge, London 2017.
  8. Ciao L., The formation of the third generation of leadership system of North Korea and the development of its foreign policy toward China, „International and Strategic Studies Report” 2014, no. 10, dostępny w internecie [dostęp: 12 XII 2020], <http://en.iiss.pku.edu.cn/research/bulletin/1622.html>
  9. Cordesman A. H., Burke A. A., Molot M., China and the US: cooperation, competition and/or conflict. An experimental assessment, Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington 2019.
  10. Danielewski M., Priorytety polityki zagranicznej Koreańskiej Republiki Ludowo-Demokratycznej i Republiki Korei, „Świat Idei i Polityki” 2017, t. 16.
  11. Dhawan R. K., China and its peripheries contentious relations with North Korea, Institute of Peace And Conflict Studies, New Delhi 2013 (Issue Brief, 231).
  12. Dingli S., North Korea’s strategic significance to China, „China Security”, Autumn 2006, vol. 2, issue 3.
  13. Dziak W., Kim Dzong Il, Wydawnictwo TRIO, Warszawa 2004.
  14. Eberstadt N., Coblin A., Dependencia, North Korea style, The Asan Institute for Policy Studies, Issue Brief 32, 6 XI 2014.
  15. Havis M., True scale of North Korea’s coronavirus deaths ‘very likely exceeds imagination’ and is being hidden to avoid embarrassing China, defector warns, „Daily Mail” [online], 24 IV 2020 [dostęp: 02 V 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8252613/True-scale-North-Koreas-coronavirus-deaths-likely-exceeds-imagination-defector-warns.html>.
  16. Jang Y., Son D., Sino-DPRK geopolitical curse behind Kim Jong-un’s olive branch, „Pacific Focus-Inha Journal Of International Studies” 2020, vol. 35, issue 1.
  17. Jiang Y., Concerns over nukes have been growing in Beijing sanctions are an important tool in China’s North Korea Diplomacy, „Danish for International Studies”, February 2019.
  18. Jianyi P., China-North Korea economic relations, [w:] Outside looking in: A view into the North Korean economy, eds J. Kim, H. Minjeong, Asan Institute for Policy Studies.
  19. Jiawen C., Why economic sanctions on NorthKorea fail to work? „China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies” 2017, vol. 3, issue 4.
  20. Jones C., Teitt S., Introduction: China-North Korea relations, [w:] China–North Korea Relations. Between development and security, eds C. Jones, S. Teitt, School of Political Science and International Studies, The University of Queensland, Northampton 2020.
  21. Ji D., Marking treaty anniversary, party daily praises “inseparable” China-N. Korea ties, NK News, 11 VII 2019 [dostęp: 19 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://www.nknews.org/2019/07/marking-treaty-anniversary-party-daily-praises-inseparable-china-n-korea-ties/>.
  22. Jureńczyk Ł., Międzynarodowe uwarunkowania postawy Chińskiej Republiki Ludowej wobec programu nuklearnego Koreańskiej Republiki Ludowo-Demokratycznej w XXI wieku, „Roczniki Humanistyczne” 2019, t. 67, z. 9.
  23. Kang C., The security outlook of the Republic of Korea, [w:] CSCAP, Regional Security Outlook 2020, eds R. Huisken, K. Brett, A. Milner, R. Smith, P. Vermonte, J. Wanandi, Council For Security Cooperation In the Asia-Pacific, Canberra 2019.
  24. Kaźmierczak K., Spekulacje na temat wizyty Kim Dzong Una w Chinach, Kresy.pl, 27 III 2018 [dostęp: 20 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://kresy.pl/wydarzenia/spekulacje-na-temat-wizyty-kim-dzong-una-w-chinach-video/>.
  25. Kim I., Sanctions for nuclear inhibition: Comparing sanctions conditions between Iran and North Korea, „Asian Perspective” 2019, no. 1.
  26. Kim J., China and regional security dynamics on the Korean Peninsula, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace [online], 18 III 2020 [dostęp: 12 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/03/18/china-and-regional-security-dynamics-on-korean-peninsula-pub-81235>.
  27. Kim H. J., Hyung K. T., China, North Korea look to strengthen ties amid US disputes, AP News, 19 VI 2019 [dostęp: 11 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://www.apnews.com/d0ef246c46514c38b884266cbf9e640b>.
  28. Kim S. H., The coronavirus is making U. S.-North Korea-South Korean relations worse, „The National Interest” [online], 2 IV 2020 [dostęp: 16 V 2020], dostępny w inter-necie: <https://nationalinterest.org/blog/korea-watch/coronavirus-making-us-north-korea-south-korean-relations-worse-140072>.
  29. Lee C. M., Prospects for US-South Korean-Japanese trilateral security cooperation in an era of unprecedented threats and evolving political forces, Atlantic Council Scowcroft Center For Strategy And Security, Washington 2018.
  30. Lele A., Hanoi summit: A Kim–Trump fiasco, Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict, New Delhi 2019, (SSPC Issue Brief, March 13).
  31. Mohan P., Future prospects of Beijing-Pyongyang relations, Observer Research Foundation, 3 VII 2019 [dostęp: 20 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/future-prospects-of-beijing-pyongyang-relations-52689/>.
  32. Nanto D. K., Increasing dependency: North Korea’s economic relations with China, „Korea’s Economy” 2011, vol. 27.
  33. Osnos E., The biggest winner at the US–North Korea summit – China, „The New Yorker” [online], 12 VI 2018 [dostęp: 17 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-biggest-winner-at-the-us-north-korea-summit-china>.
  34. Pacuła P., Relacje Chin z wybranymi państwami w Azji Południowo-Wschodniej i Wschodniej i ich wpływ na bezpieczeństwo w regionie, „Bezpieczeństwo Narodowe” 2015, nr 2.
  35. Panda A., Narang V., Why North Korea is testing missiles again, „Foreign Affairs” [online], 16 V 2019 [dostęp: 17 V 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/north-korea/2019-05-16/why-north-korea-testing-missiles-again>.
  36. Pawk, Uciekają z Korei Północnej, w Chinach trafiają na handlarzy ludźmi. Cena? 146 dolarów, Gazeta.pl, 25 V 2019 [dostęp: 13 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7,166611,24825367,uciekaja-z-korei-polnocnej-w-chinach-trafiaja-na-handlarzy.html>.
  37. Pietrewicz O., Korea Północna jako państwo negocjacji, presji i szantażu, rozm. przepr. B. Adach, „Teologia Polityczna” [online], 22 V 2017 [dostęp: 14 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <http://www.teologiapolityczna.pl/oskar-pietrewicz-korea-polnocna-jako-panstwo-negocjacji-presji-i-szantazu>.
  38. Pietrewicz O., Półwysep Koreański w polityce mocarstw w XXI wieku, „Myśl Ekonomiczna i Polityczna” 2014, nr 1(44).
  39. Ramani S., Russia’s love affair with North Korea, „The Diplomat” [online], 13 II 2017 [dostęp: 15 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://thediplomat.com/2017/02/russias-love-affair-with-north-korea/>.
  40. Revere E. J. R., Lips and teeth. Repairing China-North Korea relations, Brookings, November 2019, dostępny w internecie: [dostęp: 16 iv 2020]: <https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/fp_20191118_china_nk_revere.pdf>.
  41. Romański R., Chiny zapowiadają wielki plan wobec Korei Północnej, Business Insider Polska, dostępny w internecie [dostęp: 30 IV 2020]:
  42. <https://businessinsider.com.pl/polityka/chiny-zapowiadaja-wielki-plan-wobec-korei-polnocnej-przed-g20/0hnqdqt>.
  43. Roy D., Strategic ramifications of the North Korea nuclear weapons crisis, [w:] The North Korea Crisis and regional responses, eds U. Vyas, C. C. Chen, D. Roy, East-West Center, Honolulu 2015.
  44. Scobell A., China and North Korea. Bolstering a buffer or hunkering down in Northeast Asia?, Testimony presented before the US–China Economic and Security Review Commision on June 8, 2017, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica 2017.
  45. Shifrinson J., Security in Northeast Asia. Structuring a settlement, „Strategic Studies Quarterly”, Summer 2019, vol. 13, issue 2.
  46. Sang-Hun C., South Korea confident that rumors of Kim Jong-un illness are wrong, „The New York Times”, 26 IV 2020 [dostęp: 07 V 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/26/world/asia/kim-jong-un-health.html>.
  47. Snyder, S. Byun S. W., China–Korea relations. How does China solve a problem like North Korea?, „Comparative Connections” 2013, vol. 15, issue 2, .
  48. Strnad G., Korea – polityka Południa wobec Północy w latach 1948–2008. Zmiana i kontynuacja, Instytut Zachodni, Poznań 2014.
  49. Stelmach A., Szczyt Trump–Kim Dzong Un i rola Chin, pch24.pl, 12 VI 2018 [dostęp: 22 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <http://www.pch24.pl/szczyt-trump-kim-dzong-un-i-rola-chin-,60892,i.html#ixzz5w94musnu>.
  50. Strnad G., Rozmowy sześciostronne- dyplomatyczne wyzwanie wobec problemu denuklearyzacji Półwyspu Koreańskiego, „Przegląd Strategiczny” 2014, nr 7.
  51. Stueck W., The Korean war. An international history, Princeton University Press, New York 1995.
  52. Tiezzi S., Xi’s North Korea visit. All style, no substance?, „The Diplomat” [online], 22 VI 2019 [dostęp: 17 IV 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/xis-north-korea-visit-all-style-no-substance/>.
  53. Tingting L., The economy of dprk under Kim Jong Un. Review, analysis, and prospects, „China International Strategy Review”, Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Peking University, Beijing 2015.
  54. Tomaszewski W., Chiny porzucają dynastię Kimów, CSPA, 3 VII 2015 [dostęp: 11 V 2020], dostępny w internecie: <http://www.polska-azja.pl/w-tomaszewski-chiny-porzucaja-dynastie-kimow/>.
  55. Tuosheng Z., Prospects for the North Korea nuclear issue and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, „International and Strategic Studies Report” 2018, nr 64, Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Peking University, dostępny w internecie [dostęp: 10 XII 2020]: <http://en.iiss.pku.edu.cn/research/bulletin/3180.html>.
  56. Tuosheng Z., Thoughts and recommendations on China’s policy toward the Korean Peninsula and the North Korean nuclear issue, „International and Strategic Studies Report” 2017, no. 49, Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Peking University, dostępny w internecie [dostęp: 12 XII 2020]: <http://en.iiss.pku.edu.cn/research/bulletin/2884.html>.
  57. Wertz D., China-North Korea trade. Parsing the data, 38North, 25 II 2020 [dostęp: 16 V 2020], dostępny w internecie: <https://www.38north.org/2020/02/dwertz-022520/>.
  58. Zhang W., Neither friend nor big brother: China’s role in North Korean foreign policy strategy, „Palgrave Communications” 2018, no. 4(16).
  59. Zheng J., The North Korea problem and China: Interests, debates, and roadmaps, [w:] The North Korea crisis and regional responses, eds U. Vyas, C. C. Chen, D. Roy, East-West Center, Honolulu 2015.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.