North Korea and China have sustained a close relationship for more than half a century.
In
1949, they first recognized each other diplomatically and in 1950, China helped North Korea
out militarily.
They share a border that runs over 1,400km and are frequent trade partners.
So,
exactly how strong is the current relationship between China and North Korea?
Well, in 1961, both nations signed the “Sino-North Korean Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation
and Mutual Assistance”, which made them official allies.
This treaty has since been extended,
once in 1981 and again in 2001.
As it stands now, The Treaty of Friendship won’t expire until
the year 2021.
And both nations have a history of taking this treaty seriously.
China, who sits on
the UN Security Council, has a history of vetoing any UN activity that would negatively
impact
North Korea.
The two countries also share a strong trade relationship.
About 67% of all of North Korea’s
exports go to China and over 61% of all its imports come from China.
These numbers soar
above their next two closest trade partners, South Korea and India.
At times, China has also
been the chief provider of food and energy to North Korea.
Obviously, North Korea appears to
be benefiting more from this relationship than China.
So, what does China get out of all this?
Well, for one, they get a buffer zone between them and U.S.-allied South Korea, where tens
of thousands of American military soldiers are stationed.
Plus, China is already dealing with a
North Korean refugee problem.
In fact, they had to put up a barbed wire fence in 2006 to stem
the tide of refugees.
The fear now is that if North Korea were to collapse, China would have to
deal with a large wave of refugees, so it’s in their best interest to keep North Korea
going.
But there are major signs that this relationship is changing, most of which involve North
Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
After North Korea conducted its third nuclear test, China
publically condemned their actions.
China also allowed a UN resolution against the North
Korean tests, refusing to use their veto power on North Korea’s behalf.
According to some
experts, this marks a significant rupture in China’s alliance with North Korea.
And since then,
both countries have sent more military to their shared border.
North Korea reportedly sent tanks,
armored infantry, sharpshooters and rocket launchers.
Even with the tensions, many think China will always bail out and support North Korea, but
leaked documents may show that isn’t necessarily the case.
The documents outline a plan for
dealing with North Korean leaders, military, and civilians after the fall of their country.
Add to this
a planned fourth North Korean nuclear test and their decades long friendship may finally
come
to an end.
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