Headline:
China‘s Growing Concerns as North Korea Deepens Military Ties with Russia
Subhead:
北京的忧虑：朝鲜与俄罗斯的安全关系加深（Newsweek）
Article:
Beijing’s optimism towards Pyongyang appears to be waning as China’s diplomats have detected growing differences in their bilateral relations this year, signals that may indicate a rising discontent with Kim Jong-un’s deepening military cooperation with Russia, according to Newsweek.
Analysts told Newsweek that the strengthening of Moscow and Pyongyang’s security ties doesn’t reflect well on China, which is reportedly anxious about potential Russian arms supplies to North Korea that could further destabilize its backyard.
The U.S. and its allies fear Russia might provide North Korea with arms and technical assistance in exchange for the latter’s troops and ammunition, potentially bolstering its UN-sanctioned ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, "We are ready to work with DPRK to protect, consolidate, and develop the China-DPRK relations in accordance with the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries."
However, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell noted, "The topic that’s becoming increasingly uncomfortable for Chinese interlocutors is indeed North Korea’s engagement with Russia. In some of the discussions we’ve had, it seems we’re informing China about things they weren’t necessarily aware of, respecting the pursuits of North Korea."
What’s Next?
U.S. officials claim that Russia has promised to deliver MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters in exchange for North Korean troops, while South Korea reports it may soon dispatch more troops to Russia. Meanwhile, China maintains its non-interference stance in North Korea-Russia relations, improbable to openly express displeasure or significantly curtail its economic and diplomatic support for Russia in the near future, as the ‘no-limits’ partners keep up their united front against what they perceive as U.S. hegemony.
