Editor's note: The following article was written by a prominent Chinese blogger named Wang Jinsi (王锦思). The article discusses why, even when it seems that it isn't in China's best interest, it insists on maintaining a strong relationship with the mythical hermit kingdom, North Korea.

Relationship is not all good

North Korea and China have a close interdependent relationship, like that of two blood brothers. However, the hardline policies of North Korea, China's little brother, often leave China in an uncomfortable position, making their relationship one filled with as much love as there is hate. Despite the fact that the Chinese public opinion of North Korea is extremely low, the Chinese government does not intend to abandon it. As far as they are concerned, the dish may be tasteless, but it would be a pity to throw it away.

Be that as it may, Sino-North Korean relations are not completely inseparable these days. In June 2009, after North Korea conducted their second nuclear test, China was left humiliated, and the leaders at Zhongnanhai were no doubt shaking silently with anger at their little brother. On May 29th 2009, days after the second test was conducted, the North Korean Foreign Ministry, who apparently felt that it had nothing to lose, issued a strong critical statement against China and Russia, who were participating in an emergency UN Security Council meeting at the time: "They are kowtowing to the Americans, blindly following them." Since that time, both sides have grown increasingly critical toward one another.  

For example, in an editorial published by the Global Times – a party-run newspaper –the term "ungrateful" (忘恩负义) was used in reference to North Korea, which would once have been considered an inconceivable thing to say. The editorial had other choice words for North Korea aswell: "If the hundreds of thousands in the Chinese People's Volunteer Army hadn't gone over and helped the Korean People's Army fight their bloody war shoulder to shoulder, there wouldn't be a North Korea today. In recent years, North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests, repeatedly violated international agreements, and many Chinese people are asking:‘Are we still able to refer to our two countries as blood brothers'? North Korea's nuclear testing has ruined the foundations of our bilateral relations."

Four reasons China will not abandon North Korea

Two years after this incident, Sino-North Korean relations have cooled off somewhat. Yet, despite these continuing clashes, it seems that China refuses to abandon North Korea, and is in fact determined to keep on slanting its policies in North Korea's favour, providing economic support, food aid etc. The reasons for this continued support are as follows:

1) Ideologically, China and North Korea's social systems both still operate under the banner of Marxism, and in this day and age, other Marxist brethren have become quite hard to come by.

2) The "peace" of the Korean War cost China at least 300,000 Chinese casualties. If China were to just give that up, the widows and relatives of those deceased would likely be rather furious. Not to mention, the whole little brother relationship with North Korea is a big part of China's mainstream propaganda system, and it can't be changed that easily.

3) When China's strategic interests come into conflict with those of Japan or the United States, China likes to have a buffer to end the stalemate between the countries. As it has traditionally done, China still hopes that North Korea will act as its shield, and during these critical moments on the international stage, do things that are not convenient for China to do. And even if North Korea goes too far, other countries will ask China to step in and deal with North Korea (as it doesn't really listen to anyone else), which makes China look more important. However, "When a neighbouring country starts conducting nuclear tests right on China's borders, China will not turn a blind eye."

4) There are still a number of Chinese people who have a soft spot for North Korea, such as Kong Qingdong (孔庆东), the infamous Peking University professor who frequently gets in trouble for his super national opinions (In January 2012, he called Hong Kong residents "the dogs of British imperialists" during a webcast interview). Suffice it to say, even with low public opinion of North Korea, China's support is still considered a core part of the country's national character.

In summary, even though supporting North Korea is both strenuous and costly – not to mention it is not all that mutually beneficial – China will continue to do so. But North Korea should take note of China's new tone, as could be seen at the 2011 Sino-North Korean Summit Meeting: North Korea, my boy, I'll continue to help you build yourself up, but don't do anything too stupid, or I'll be the one that looks bad.
 

Source: ifeng
 

Related links
Opinion: Chinese Media Should not Mislead Public on Foreign Affairs
Decisions, Decisions: How Will China Position Itself in Asia
Glimpses of Mysterious North Korea

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Keywords: Sino-North Korean relations Chinese editorial on North Korea China and the hermit kingdom China public opinion of North Korea China reluctant abandon north korea