In his article “China’s clear and present conundrum on the Korean Peninsula: stuck between the past and the future”, Xiangfeng Yang discusses China’s complicated relationship with its ally North Korea. The author states that although countries share deep historical ties, the erratic actions of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has eroded the relationship between the two countries. In my opinion, this development is something that could be used by the United States to further its interests in the region and perhaps improve its relationship with China. However, with his inflammatory rhetoric, President Trump threatens to push North Korea and China closer together.
In their article, the author discusses a debate occurring in China regarding its relationship with North Korea. The author describes there being two sides, one which consists of what they consider to be “conservative hard-liners” and the other side which consists of moderate intellectuals. The hardliners want China to continue to support North Korea against what they view as an increasingly aggressive and belligerent United States while the moderates want to work with the United States to deal with North Korea and other security issues in East Asia. By using inflammatory rhetoric, President Trump weakens the position of the moderates and strengthens the hardliners who would see American influence completely removed from East Asia. In order to foster cooperation on this issue, the President should use less harsh rhetoric when discussing China.
Harry,
This will be a brief response because I am still grading papers (in my other course). You are 100% correct that China holds the key to any possible settlement regarding the nuclear problem. At times, they have seemed inclined to pressure the North to make concessions; but then at others, they have pulled back and done nothing while the DPRK tests nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. Ultimately, they continue to live in fear that if the North collapses, millions of North Korean refugees will stream across the Chinese border. More on all of this in class.
–Professor Wallerstein