CHINA TOPIX

11/22/2024 06:04:52 pm

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Long-time Allies North Korea and China: In the Brink of Splitting Up

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and North Korea's Kim Jong Un

(Photo : Reuters)

Decades-long allies North Korea and China relations seemed to become more strained by the minute according to reports citing Kim Jong Un's erratic attitude as a major contributing factor to Beijing's growing exasperation toward their ally.

According to the National Interest, relations between Asia's dynamic duo built over mutual trust since 1950 is currently struggling since North Korea's present leader, Kim Jong Un, has shown disdain over their Chinese allies.

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North Korea has managed to stay in power despite difficulties that come their way because the first two generations of leaders from the Kim clan has mastered the art of brinkmanship or bluffs, expert Chuck Downs explained.

During their reigns, Kim Il Sung and his son, Kim Jong Il have never neglected its relationship with China which considerably followed through with their word and aided the country when necessary.

However, the current leader of North Korea has been defiant from tradition of heeding Beijing and has been "thumbing his nose at his one and only ally" since he took office.

Early in 2012, China sent vice minister of foreign affairs Fu Ying to Pyongyang to "sternly warn" the North Korean leader to discontinue his plans of test firing missiles after his father's sudden death in December. This was to lay the path for North Korea to open itself for negotiations on denuclearization.

In clear defiance of what was known as the "Leap Day Deal", North Korea fired a long-range missile to commemorate Kim Il Sung's birthday in April 2012 and showcased a Chinese-made missile launcher during a parade, clearly taunting Beijing.

Following this are several events that signify the North's disregard of its relations with the Asian giant including nuclear tests done during key events such as the Lunar New Year in February 2013 and Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to South Korea.

Because of this, Beijing have been provoked enough to join the United Nations Security Council resolution 2094 in 2013 indicating support for "a nuclear-free Korean peninsula, the de-escalation of tension and a return to the Six Party Talks."

More recently, Chinese bloggers publicly displayed their increasing exasperation with North Korea by using mocking nicknames for the Korean leader in their blogs such as "The Kid" and "Fatty the Third."

Meanwhile, North Korea has been reported to be "cozying up to Russia" while China has been pursuing friendly relations with South Korea and is eyeing a warmer Chinese-American relationship through participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific military exercises.

What's next for the two Asian countries? The international community is now watching for further developments on the China-North Korea affair.

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