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US-China relations can’t solve- fear of increased US power in cooperating together means China leans to North Korea
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US-China relations can’t solve- fear of increased US power in cooperating together means China leans to North KoreaLankov 16. Andrei Lankov is professor of Korean Studies at Kookmin University, Seoul. He is the author of "The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia". [“Don't expect China to ice North Korea” Al-Jazeera-Asia January 28th 2016 URL: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/01/don-expect-china-ice-north-korea-160128061357218.html] Equally, China has no enthusiasm for the most likely final outcome of such a crisis: German-style unification under the control and tutelage of a powerful, wealthy and US-allied South Korea.∂ Such a unified Korean state might create trouble for China - more so now as Seoul's alliance with Washington is increasingly seen in Beijing as an alliance with its major adversary.∂ Thus, it appears that at some point last August or September the Chinese leadership decided to abandon the tough approach that they had sought back in 2013.∂ As a sign that they were in a mood to mend relations, they dispatched Liu Yunshan, a top Beijing decision-maker, to Pyongyang. It seems that none of the subsequent events has made them decide to reverse course. Beijing appears to consider North Korea as a buffer zone against greater US influence in the region. Recently, the Chinese resolve has been tested twice: in mid-December when the North Koreans suddenly cancelled a high-profile performance of a North Korean musical group (because Chinese officials strongly objected to paeans to nuclear weapons that were to be sung), and the beginning of January when the nuclear test was conducted. In both cases reason prevailed, and the Chinese leadership decided, after indicating their displeasure, to continue with the policy in place. It is saying that the Chinese Internet censors began to delete messages critical of North Korea which flooded the Chinese net immediately after both events.∂ Some in Washington clearly hope that Americans will influence the Chinese position if they react to North Korean nuclear tests and missile launches with a military build-up. Indeed, the Chinese are not pleased by the increase in the US presence in Northeast Asia, and often complain that "North Korea's actions actually help the Americans". Download 357.18 Kb. Share with your friends:
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