For a long time China has been the source of an economic lifeline for North Korea; and now with the ramifications of Kim Jong Il’s death shrouding the global geo-political scene, one feels that Beijing would continue to shore up the its ties with Pyongyang as the latter traverses this transitional phase. Experts opine that its bond with Beijing provides Pyongyang the desired foreign investment and gives the former the economic and political influence that it yearns for.
Over the past decade or so, China’s economic ties with North Korea have gone from strength to strength, as massive trade numbers have been posted. China is responsible for nearly 45 per cent of North Korean trade, according to recent estimates. Of course the overwhelming Chinese flavour in North Korean economic cauldron ensures that Beijing is a domineering authority in Pyongyang’s political shapeup. The Chinese are of the opinion that North Korea should brace itself of a reform and opening process which would be reminiscent of the transformations in China after the death of Mao Zedong.
One of the key steps in bolstering mutual ties for China is the construction of Rason Special Economic Zone. This warm water port is within close proximity of the Chinese and Russian border, and a Chinese company has signed a ten-year lease to rebuild a pier over there. Such a move is designed to make full use of the potential of transport cost reduction that the port would accompany.
According to recent estimates, since the year 1999 China’s trade with North Korea has escalated from around $300 million to more than $3 billion. And, another facet worth considering is the fact that posting such towering numbers does not merely benefit North Korea, it also provides the northeastern provinces with an outlet for economic exploration. The aforementioned Chinese provinces have been in a relative lull in the recent past, as their industrial base is on a descent, unemployment is rising and the agriculture sector is also marred by uncertainties; and these factors, when coupled with other social concerns, throw a massive question mark over the stability of the region.
On the political front, Chinese leaders’ condolence visit to North Korean embassy, following Kim Jong Il’s death was a conspicuous statement. As sceptical binoculars gazed into the broadcast on China Central Television, the leaders bowed in unison towards the late Korean leader’s portrait, as they paid their homage, much to the displeasure of the Western powers.
With the recent visit of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, China has divulged its stance of vying for stability on the Korean Peninsula. The reason is simple: with so much at stake for the Chinese hierarchy in the peninsula, they can’t afford something bordering on the Arab Spring or an eastern European style colour revolution to be instigated in the region. Another important façade is that North Korea provides the perfect place as a buffer zone for China. This mindset has long been etched in Chinese ethos, and even a throwback to the Ming Dynasty depicts the perception of North Korea as a “fence”.
And now with the visit of Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell to Beijing, the biggest issue being discussed would obviously be North Korea – an old US foe – and the resumption of the long stalled six-nation nuclear talks. China is all for the recommencement of the talks but after shoring up its support behind Kim’s successor- his son Jong-Un – China has flaunted its unremitting backing of North Korea.
The writer is Sub-Editor,
Profit. He can be reached at khulduneshahid@gmail.com