- 04 Dec 2014 23:47
#14494737
The first article says that China "can't" save North Korea.
Even if the Chinese could save North Korea though, they may not want to. Chinese-North Korean relations certainly aren't as close as they used to be.
Even though North Korea never officially broke neutrality in the Sino-Soviet rivalry, relations have definitely been strained since Deng Xiaoping's regime. It seems the PRC has ever since then kind of rebranded their image from solid ally of the DPRK to wipe the "imperialist puppet" ROK off of the map to some kind of neutral arbiter between the two Koreas. Thus actually extending Chinese influence over the whole peninsula (or so Beijing hopes I imagine). Also South Korea's perceived reluctance to fully embrace American anti-Chinese military policies may be seen by Beijing as a means of avoiding American efforts to completely isolate them. Mind you, it's not like the ROK is "switching sides" although hawkish American netizens may claim so. But at least Seoul is debating what Washington wants them to do instead of automatically following such requests.
In return, Seoul benefits by wooing away a nation that was once the DPRK's major backer, greatly isolating Pyongyang. Especially as ongoing profitable trade strengthens the notion that ties with the ROK is far more beneficial to "market socialism with Chinese characteristics" than the Jucheist state. If they play their cards right the South Koreans might even develop a new role as peacemaker by helping maintain good ties between the US and China. They'll pretty much have to anyway if they develop strong ties with both nations.
If the Korean War heats up again I think whether or not China repeats history depends on how Round 2 begins. If the US becomes hawkish and the ROK re-adopts a staunch pro-American foreign policy and they're the ones who start it, the Chinese may feel threatened and conclude that North Korea is still useful after all as a buffer against "US imperialist aggression". But if things are pretty much as they are and it's the DPRK who starts it, the Chinese may conclude instead that North Korea's an unstable neighbor who brings chaos to their doorstep and they'll gladly let them hang out to dry.
Even if American jingoist claims that "ungrateful treacherous" Seoul has become Beijing's "useful idiots" are true, that just underscores the fact that Beijing would be pretty pissed off if the "useful idiots" in Seoul were attacked by batshit crazy idiots in Pyongyang.
China 'can't save' N. Korea even if it collapses: ex-general
Yonhap News
2014/12/02 17:05
BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- China would not help save North Korea even if the neighboring North's regime collapses, a former general of China's military said Tuesday, in rare explicit comments that possibly reflect Beijing's growing frustration with its unpredictable ally.
"China is not a savior," Wang Hongguang, former deputy commander of the Nanjing military region of the People's Liberation Army, wrote in an op-ed published by the Global Times newspaper, which has close ties with China's ruling Communist Party.
"If North Korea really collapses, even China can't save it," Wang said.
The comments by Wang were in response to a recent contribution by another Chinese expert, who urged Beijing not to "abandon" North Korea.
North Korea is China's only formal treaty ally, but a series of provocations by the North, including last year's third nuclear test, have strained political ties between the two nations.
The alliance between North Korea and China, forged by blood during the 1950-53 Korean War, appears to be wearing thin.
Still, many analysts believe that Beijing will not put strong pressure on Pyongyang due to the risk of aggravating the current situation.
In the Chinese-language op-ed piece posted on the newspaper's website, Wang indicated that China may not step in if a war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula.
"China has no need to get burned," Wang said. "Whoever provokes a war bears responsibility. It is not necessary for China's young generation to fight for another country."
kdh@yna.co.kr
China will not go to war for N. Korea, former general says
AFP-JIJI
Dec 2, 2014
BEIJING – China will not step in to save neighboring North Korea if the Pyongyang regime collapses or initiates conflict with its opponents, a retired People’s Liberation Army general has said, apparently underscoring a perceived weariness in Beijing with its wayward, nuclear-armed ally.
“China is not a savior,” wrote Wang Hongguang, formerly deputy commander of the Nanjing military region, in a online commentary for the Global Times newspaper. The organ is considered to represent the views of the China Communist Party.
“Should North Korea really collapse, not even China can save it,” he said.
Wang’s comments came in a contribution to the nationalist tabloid’s Chinese-language website.
The outspoken Wang has made critical comments about North Korea before and it was not clear whether his words indicated a policy shift on Pyongyang.
China has long been the isolated North’s key ally and aid provider.
Beijing aided it during the 1950-53 Korean War, intervening against U.S.-led United Nations forces defending South Korea and helping to seal a stalemate that persists today.
China’s role has grown as the North’s economy has shrunk in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union almost a quarter of a century ago, with which Pyongyang had close trade and aid ties.
But over the same period Beijing has moved to develop diplomatic relations and booming trade ties with Seoul, Pyongyang’s bitter rival. Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Park Geun-hye have exchanged visits, while Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have so far kept their distance.
Wang said China would not get involved in a new war on the Korean peninsula.
“China cannot influence the situation on the Korean peninsula,” he wrote.
“China has no need to light a fire and get burned,” he added. “Whoever provokes a conflagration bears responsibility.
“Now there is no more ‘socialist camp.’ It is not necessary for China’s younger generation to fight a war for another country,” he wrote in the comments, published Monday.
Wang criticized the North for its nuclear development, using it as an example of how its interests can differ from China’s and saying it had “already brought about the serious threat of nuclear contamination in China’s border area.”
But he also slammed Western countries for what he described as “demonizing” North Korea and interfering in its internal affairs in the name of human rights.
“China absolutely does not meddle,” he wrote.
Beijing will “support what should be supported and oppose what should be opposed” regarding the North, he said, indicating China was not ready to completely give up on its troublesome neighbour.
China will neither “court” nor “abandon” North Korea, he wrote. “This should be China’s basic attitude.”
The first article says that China "can't" save North Korea.
Even if the Chinese could save North Korea though, they may not want to. Chinese-North Korean relations certainly aren't as close as they used to be.
Even though North Korea never officially broke neutrality in the Sino-Soviet rivalry, relations have definitely been strained since Deng Xiaoping's regime. It seems the PRC has ever since then kind of rebranded their image from solid ally of the DPRK to wipe the "imperialist puppet" ROK off of the map to some kind of neutral arbiter between the two Koreas. Thus actually extending Chinese influence over the whole peninsula (or so Beijing hopes I imagine). Also South Korea's perceived reluctance to fully embrace American anti-Chinese military policies may be seen by Beijing as a means of avoiding American efforts to completely isolate them. Mind you, it's not like the ROK is "switching sides" although hawkish American netizens may claim so. But at least Seoul is debating what Washington wants them to do instead of automatically following such requests.
In return, Seoul benefits by wooing away a nation that was once the DPRK's major backer, greatly isolating Pyongyang. Especially as ongoing profitable trade strengthens the notion that ties with the ROK is far more beneficial to "market socialism with Chinese characteristics" than the Jucheist state. If they play their cards right the South Koreans might even develop a new role as peacemaker by helping maintain good ties between the US and China. They'll pretty much have to anyway if they develop strong ties with both nations.
If the Korean War heats up again I think whether or not China repeats history depends on how Round 2 begins. If the US becomes hawkish and the ROK re-adopts a staunch pro-American foreign policy and they're the ones who start it, the Chinese may feel threatened and conclude that North Korea is still useful after all as a buffer against "US imperialist aggression". But if things are pretty much as they are and it's the DPRK who starts it, the Chinese may conclude instead that North Korea's an unstable neighbor who brings chaos to their doorstep and they'll gladly let them hang out to dry.
Even if American jingoist claims that "ungrateful treacherous" Seoul has become Beijing's "useful idiots" are true, that just underscores the fact that Beijing would be pretty pissed off if the "useful idiots" in Seoul were attacked by batshit crazy idiots in Pyongyang.
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