China's strategy in Korean peninsula

Phead128

Captain
Staff member
Moderator - World Affairs
So long as there are nuclear scientists (brains) and enrichment reprocessing facility (materials), a couple hundred MINERS dying in a tunnel collapse will not set NK program back much. NK has plenty of mountain ranges and test sites, plenty of tunnel digging expertise (e.g. slave labor), and these equipment that was lost is not that special (commercial off the shelf items for monitoring earthquake and radiation).
 
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China welcomes inter-Korean summit, extends congratulations
Xinhua| 2018-04-28 00:40:14
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China said Friday it welcomes the inter-Korean summit and extends its congratulations.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the remarks in a statement.

The leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) held a successful summit today, and they reached important consensus and issued a joint declaration on improving inter-Korean relations, easing military tension on the Korean Peninsula and advancing the realization of denuclearization and long-term stability of the Peninsula, Lu said.

"The positive outcomes of the summit are conducive to promoting reconciliation and cooperation between the two sides, upholding peace and stability on the Peninsula and advancing the political settlement of the Peninsula issue," Lu said.

"China welcomes it and extends its congratulations," he said.

Noting that the DPRK and the ROK belong to the same nation, Lu said China always supports the two sides in building up mutual trust and improving their relations through dialogue and consultation.

This is in the interests of the two sides and the region, and in line with the shared aspiration of the international community, Lu said.

"We hope and believe that the DPRK and the ROK will follow through on the consensus reached between the two leaders at this summit and continue to advance reconciliation and cooperation," he said.

"We hope that the relevant parties will maintain the momentum for dialogue and work together to promote the denuclearization of the Peninsula and the political settlement of the Peninsula issue," Lu said.

China stands ready to continue to play its positive role to this end, he added.
 
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South Korea preparing for summit with North Korea and US, diplomat says
China will not be part of next round of talks but both Koreas recognise they still need their neighbour’s support, according to senior envoy in Seoul
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China will not be part of next round of talks but both Koreas recognise they still need their neighbour’s support, according to senior envoy in Seoul

South Korea is preparing for talks with the North and the United States to resolve issues on the divided Korean peninsula following Friday’s historic summit, but China will not have a seat at the table initially, according to a senior diplomat in Seoul.

The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said both Koreas wanted to dilute Beijing’s influence over the peninsula, but they also recognised they needed China’s support because it was still a key player in the region.

Momentum is growing for a peaceful resolution of the nuclear crisis and even reunification after South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to end their six decades of hostility, though critics say their agreement lacks the road map or details needed to achieve these goals.

For South Korea, it would be preferable to hold dialogue with the North and the United States, as China’s involvement could diminish its influence over the negotiations.

North Korea’s heavy reliance on China for oil, food and other humanitarian aid put Beijing in a position of control over Pyongyang, the diplomat said. They added that the isolated state could have an alternative in South Korea and the US, if relations with the two countries continued to improve following Friday’s summit and a planned meeting between Kim and US President Donald Trump, expected in May or June.

“Seoul can be the middle man to find common ground between Pyongyang and Washington by helping the two parties to narrow their differences given its close relationship with the US, and also the shared heritage of the two Koreas,” the diplomat said.

A joint declaration released after the summit between Moon and Kim in the fortified border village of Panmunjon on Friday said the two sides would work together to officially end the Korean war this year through trilateral talks with the US, or quadrilateral talks that also involved China.

Other agreements reached included working towards “complete denuclearisation” and a nuclear-free Korean peninsula, restarting reunion programmes for separated families and ceasing all hostile acts against each other.

Although China has a key role on the Korean peninsula as one of three parties that signed the armistice deal in 1953, along with the US and North Korea, and it has long provided political and economic support to Pyongyang, it could become a less significant player if relations between the two Koreas improved, the diplomat said.

“Of course, both Seoul and Pyongyang will notify China [of the outcome of any talks] because we need China’s blessing,” the diplomat said.

China on Friday said it welcomed the positive outcome of the inter-Korean summit and was willing to continue playing an active role in the process. Beijing earlier also said it welcomed efforts by the US and North Korea to improve their relationship.

During the 1950-53 Korean war, Mao Zedong sent nearly three million troops to support the North, with an estimated 180,000 Chinese soldiers killed.

Zhang Liangui, a professor of international strategic research at the Central Party School in Beijing, said it was “foreseeable” that the two Koreas would not want China involved in the talks.

“This was inevitable, because both Koreas have been wanting to cast off Chinese influence,” he said.

John Delury, a professor of international relations at Yonsei University in Seoul, said there was a “certain irony” in the Chinese foreign ministry’s position of encouraging Pyongyang to talk directly to the US about denuclearisation.

“Now the Americans are talking to Pyongyang … and we’re seeing China is nervous, simply because they are not at the table,” Delury said.

But Moon Hee-sang, a South Korean lawmaker with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, said the trilateral talks with the US would be just “a matter of sequence”.

“After the trilateral talks, four-party talks that include China will definitely take place. China won’t be overlooked – that’s not a concern. China is a signatory to the Korean Armistice Agreement and will take part in future talks to officially end the war and reach a peace agreement,” said Moon, who is also a member of the South Korean parliament’s foreign affairs and unification committee.

“The reason the trilateral talks will come first is because Pyongyang, Washington and Seoul need to sit down and talk through an agreement on denuclearisation before they move on to ending the war or a peace deal.”

He said North Korea would also want China involved in peace talks.

“Pyongyang will feel insecure without China there when it’s negotiating the peace agreement, and it would have requested China’s involvement in the future talks,” he said. “Inter-Korean reconciliation does not mean less Chinese influence – we must pay attention to the geopolitical location of the Korean peninsula.”

Cai Jian, an expert on Sino-North Korean relations at Fudan University in Shanghai, said Pyongyang had tried to pull back from Chinese influence but had failed.

“When the international world has exerted pressure on Pyongyang by increasing sanctions, Beijing has been the only one supporting and protecting it, so it’s impossible for the North to turn its back on China,” he said.

China could also benefit from potential Korean reunification in the future, given the peninsula’s proximity to the northeastern part of the country, Moon Hee-sang said.

“Economic cooperation between the Korean peninsula and China will be strengthened, and so China’s influence on the peninsula will only increase in the future,” he said.
 

timepass

Brigadier
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...


gettyimages-854925368.jpg


"South Korea scrambled fighter jets Saturday to intercept a Chinese military reconnaissance plane that spent four hours inside South Korea’s air defense zone, officials said.

The apparent aggression took place just a day after North Korea’s historic pledge to pursue denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in a summit meeting China itself had hailed as “a historic moment.”

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Phead128

Captain
Staff member
Moderator - World Affairs
There is too much sleight of hand and misinformation in media. "Spin" without context, passive omission, misleading info is rampant in media reports of NK.

Lots of ego and nation pride, each side presenting their narrative to highlight opposing side's "concessions".

What is highly certain - denuclearixation negotiations will drag out longer (+1 year) in the 6-party format that Kim prefers (so does Japan, Russia, China). Peace treaty talks (separate from denuclearixation) will likely be quicker and involve 4 powers only (since US/NK/PVA signed Armistice) and can be concluded quickly to give Trump an illusion of a quick "win".

Longer the denuclearixation negotiations drag out, the less chance for military strike because tensions dissipate. Peace treaty negotiations can be concluded relatively quickly.

If Trump can be given enough Twitter worthy concessions (however symbolic like release of hostages and token inspections at dead nuke testing sites) then Trump will claim victory and pressure Iran and shift attention.

Kim is brilliant, ultimately the long term loser is SK because NK keeps latent (or actual) nuke capacities while solidifying Korean division for a good couple centuries. (I don't think Korea can ever reunify without massive war) This is good from China's perspective because a unified Korea will cause burden just like unified Vietnam, it's best they are divided like "let the Barbarians fight the Barbarians" tactic with Mongols while China expands it's power in East Asia. So long as SK wants to be a US protectorate, it will never be allowed to reunify.
 
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Roundup: Chinese FM, DPRK top leader discuss ties, issues on Korean Peninsula
Xinhua| 2018-05-03 22:39:56
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China supports and congratulates on the successful completion of the inter-Korean summit last month, which has brought beneficial opportunities for a political solution to the Korean Peninsula issue, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

He made the remarks when meeting with Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during his two-day visit to the country.

Kim crossed the inter-Korean border on April 27 and met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the demilitarized zone of Panmunjom.

On the border village, the leaders pledged to end the Korean War and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in the Panmunjom Declaration.

China supports an end to the state of war on the Peninsula, and backs the DPRK's decision to shift its strategic focus on economic development and the resolution of the DPRK's legitimate security concerns during the process of denuclearization, Wang said.

He noted that with full considerations and resolute decision on the Korean Peninsula issue, the move from the DPRK side has brought positive changes to the peninsula's condition.

China is willing to maintain communication with the DPRK over the issue and advance coordination between the two countries, he added.

Conveying Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to Kim, Wang said that the historic meeting between Xi and Kim during Kim's visit to China in late March has opened a new chapter for the two countries' relations.

The two leaders reached a series of significant consensuses during the meeting, jointly planned and guided bilateral ties to enter a new stage of development, he said.

For his part, Kim asked Wang to transfer his greetings to President Xi and spoke highly of China's efforts and contributions to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. He said that the DPRK is willing to strengthen strategic communication with China.

Kim also recalled his unofficial visit to China in late March, calling it a "historical visit." Following comprehensive and in-depth talks with President Xi, they have reached important consensus and achieved fruitful results, Kim said to Wang.

During Kim's visit, Xi said that positive changes had taken place on the Korean Peninsula since this year, and China appreciates the important efforts made by the DPRK. The Chinese leader added that China sticks to the goal of denuclearization of the peninsula, safeguarding peace and stability on the peninsula and solving problems through dialogue and consultation.

Achieving the denuclearization of the Peninsula is the firm position of the DPRK side, Kim said, adding that the DPRK is willing to restore mutual dialogue and establish mutual trust and explore the root causes of the threat to peace in the Peninsula.

It's meaningful that positive changes have appeared on the Korean Peninsula as they are helpful to solve problems peacefully, the DPRK leader said.

As for the DPRK-China ties, Kim said it is the valuable legacy left by leaders of elder generations of both countries, adding that consolidating and improving the DPRK-China friendly cooperation is a firm strategic policy of the DPRK.

The DPRK will work together with China to jointly promote the bilateral ties and friendship to a new and higher level, he added.

Wang kicked off his trip to the DPRK on Wednesday at the invitation of the DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho. The two diplomats held discussions on the two countries' relations and the Peninsula issue.

Wang said during his meeting with Ri that the traditional China-DPRK friendship is the shared and precious treasure of the two countries, hoping this friendship will be passed to future generations.
 
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China calls for "cherishing hard-won situation" on Korean Peninsula
Xinhua| 2018-05-07 21:13:49
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A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday called on relevant parties to cherish the hard-won situation on the Korean Peninsula, maintain composure and show goodwill.

"The Korean Peninsula situation has gone through a series of positive changes recently towards easing off, thanks to joint efforts from relevant parties. This does not come easy and should be cherished and maintained by all," spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing.

Geng's comment came after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) accused the United States of misleading public opinion and ruining the hard-won atmosphere of dialogue.

The United States attributed the DPRK's clarification of its intention for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula made through the Panmunjom Declaration to sanctions and pressure, which was criticized by a DPRK foreign ministry spokesperson.

"Under the current situation, relevant parties especially need to maintain their composure, meet each other halfway, talk more for goodwill and easing of tensions, and do more for promoting dialogue and boosting mutual trust," Geng said.

He said he hoped that the planned meeting between leaders from the DPRK and the United States would be held smoothly with positive outcomes, and that the positive development momentum of the Korean Peninsula would be consolidated and strengthened.

"China urges all relevant sides to promote a political settlement on the Korean Peninsula issue and address each others' legitimate concerns in a balanced way, based on the 'dual-track approach,' for lasting peace and stability of the peninsula," he said.

The dual-track approach refers to promoting denuclearization on the peninsula and establishing a peace mechanism.
 

advill

Junior Member
Reading recent Trump's bragging about how "great" he has been in pressuring North Korea Kim Jung Un to come to the negotiating table, and the recent robust response by Kim J U (Sorry for making his name mistake in my earlier post); I have become sceptical about the success of the impending negotiations on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsular. Let's hope the US President will come to his senses soon. He often acts as if he is "De Boss" that can bully/push aside anyone who does not agree with him/ his policies. This was shown in the recent "trade tariff" talks in Beijing by his appointed team with Chinese officials .... No consensus achieved, only continued frustrations by China. The World fears that there could be serious hostilities (trade & security) if mutually beneficial & sensible Agreements are not reached by the parties concerned.
 
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Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un hold talks in Dalian
Xinhua| 2018-05-08 19:50:54
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Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, met Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on May 7-8.

Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended related activities.

Dalian sees lush mountains, blue seas and drifting clouds in May. Xi held talks with Kim and hosted a welcome banquet for him. Together, they also took a stroll and attended a luncheon.

In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern.

Comrade Chairman made a special trip to China to meet me again just after 40-odd days, Xi said, at a crucial time when the Korean Peninsula situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. This embodies the great importance that Comrade Chairman and the WPK Central Committee have attached to the relations between the two parties and the two countries, and to their strategic communication. "I speak highly of it," Xi said.

"After the first meeting between me and Comrade Chairman, both China-DPRK relations and the Korean Peninsula situation have made positive progress. I feel happy about it," he said.

Xi said he was willing to meet Kim again to make joint efforts to push the healthy and stable development of China-DPRK relations, realize long-lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

For his part, Kim said both the DPRK-China friendship and the Korean Peninsula situation have undergone meaningful progress since March this year. "These are the positive outcomes of the historic meeting between me and Comrade General Secretary," he said.

At a crucial time when the regional situation is developing rapidly, Kim said he came to China again to meet with General Secretary and inform him of the situation, hoping to strengthen strategic communication and cooperation with China, deepen DPRK-China friendship, and promote regional peace and stability.

Xi stressed that he and Kim held their historic first meeting in Beijing in March this year, during which they had a long and in-depth communication, and reached principled consensus in four aspects on developing China-DPRK relations in the new era.

Firstly, the China-DPRK traditional friendship has been a treasure of both countries. It is an unswerving principle and the only correct choice for both countries to develop the friendly and cooperative China-DPRK relations.

Secondly, both China and the DPRK are socialist countries, and their bilateral relations are of major strategic significance. Both sides need to enhance unity, cooperation, exchanges and mutual learning.

Thirdly, high-level exchanges between the two parties play an irreplaceably significant role in guiding bilateral relations, Xi said. The two sides should maintain frequent exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, deepen understanding and mutual trust, and safeguard common interests.

Fourthly, cementing the people-to-people friendship foundation is an important channel to advance the development of China-DPRK relations, Xi said. The two sides should, by multiple means, enhance people-to-people communication and exchanges to create a sound foundation of popular will for the advancement of China-DPRK relations.

Xi said that with concerted efforts of both sides, all of these consensuses are being well implemented.

Within a period of more than one month, he and Kim met twice and they have been keeping in close contact, Xi said.

He said that he is willing to work together with Kim to continue to guide relevant departments of the two sides to soundly implement the consensuses they have reached, promote the continuous advancement of China-DPRK relations, benefit the two countries and two peoples, and make positive contributions to the peace and stability of the region.

Xi also extended sincere gratitude to Kim for his great attention and earnest attitude demonstrated after a major road accident in the DPRK which resulted in casualties of the two countries' citizens.
 
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