Has the relationship between China and North Korea changed? This is a topic that has been very popular but relatively sensitive during this period of time. To tell the truth, under the changing international situation today, it is very important to correctly view the trilateral relations between China, Russia and the DPRK. We must remain sober and not fall into the zero-sum game and the trap of the United States and the West.
First of all, let's take a look at the latest statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the so-called "changes in China-DPRK relations". In my opinion, this statement is enough to make a final decision. A few days ago, at a regular press conference held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the mainland, a media reporter asked why the Chinese ambassador was not present at the commemoration of the 71st anniversary of the Korean War held by the DPRK.
When you listen to this question, it is indeed very acute, and recently there has been a heated discussion on the Internet. But Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian's response was very clear and clear. I have summarized 2 sentences for you, and each sentence is worth scrutinizing.
The first sentence is "71 years ago, the Chinese volunteers and the Korean military and civilians fought side by side and won a great victory, and China and the DPRK also used blood to forge an unbreakable friendship." The second sentence reads, "Although the international and regional situation has undergone great changes, the friendship and cooperation between China and the DPRK will not change."
What does the first sentence mean? That is, everyone should be clear that China-North Korea relations are not an alliance like the United States. We cannot look too much at the small groups formed by United States coercion and inducement, and forget how Sino-DPRK relations came about and how many difficulties they overcame together. This is not a fact that can be changed by some feng shui and unfounded hype.
The second sentence, which I think is the most crucial one, is that the regional situation has indeed undergone great changes. What is this change? is the deterioration of the situation on the Korean Peninsula; It was Putin who Russia further cooperation with North Korea after his visit to North Korea; It is the DPRK that wants to diversify its diplomatic relations and strive for national interests that are conducive to future development.
This is understandable, but the biggest misunderstanding of online public opinion now is that they are accustomed to the zero-sum game of United States, and have brought this situation of "either you die or I live" into China's diplomatic system. "Further cooperation between North Korea and Russia will certainly harm China's interests." Relations between China and North Korea are inaccessible to Russia."
Isn't this idea too extreme? Isn't it too similar to the political logic of United States' hegemonism?
We cannot ignore that the DPRK itself has said that its strategic relationship with Russia is, to a large extent, a multilateral relationship formed on the basis of the strategic relationship between China and the DPRK. Therefore, this is by no means a zero-sum game, but a win-win situation under the framework of multilateral relations.
This is the correct angle from which China, Russia and the DPRK should be viewed. Based on this correct perspective, we can further think about whether the approach of North Korea and Russia will bring some unfavorable situation to China. The answer is yes, after all, there are two sides to everything, how can there be absolute good and bad?
Let's just look at the current situation on the Korean Peninsula. In the worst-case scenario, after North Korea has more options and occupies more initiative, is it possible that it will directly detonate the crisis on the peninsula on impulse, thus involving China's strategic nerves, and even to a certain extent, disrupting China's strategic planning at the global level?
This possibility does exist. But I also said the premise, which is a worst-case scenario. And what is we best at in China, isn't it prevention before it happens? Everyone should believe and should have this confidence that China's political wisdom will never allow this worst situation to happen, and that the multilateral strategic relations between China, Russia and the DPRK will always be on the right path.