China, US and the North Korean issue

Abstract

This article explores the strategic interests of China and the US in the North Korean issue. It examines their different perceptions of North Korea. For China, North Korea is needed as a friendly buffer state as well as a political ally. As the lone superpower and lynchpin of international security, the US wants to stop unpredictable North Korea from further developing its nuclear capabilities. The article then explores the shared goal of both great powers in promoting stability on the Korean peninsula and in preventing nuclear proliferation. It is argued that the interplay of Sino–US security interests has a huge impact on the evolution of the North Korean issue

North Korea’s Resurgence and China’s Rise: Implications for the Future of Northeast Asian Security

“…Though the North possesses nuclear weapons defying Beijing's will, there still exist many geopolitical common interests between the two countries; they still share common awareness regarding uncertainties in the future foreign relations, the need for alliance, and anxiety over the existence of USFK [9,47]. Surely, China's view on North Korea is not always benign.…”

Why China's Leaders Benefit from a Nuclear, Threatening North Korea: Preempting and Diverting Opposition at Home and Abroad

“…For example, Russell Ong, “China, the U.S. and the North Korean Issue,” Asia‐Pacific Review , 13‐1 (2006), pp. 119–121; Toshi Yoshihara and James Holmes, op.…”

“…Gregory J. Moore, “How North Korea Threatens China's Interests: Understanding Chinese ‘Duplicity’ on the North Korean Nuclear Issue,” International Relations of the Asia‐Pacific , 8‐1 (2008), pp. 13, 16–18; Russell Ong, op. cit.…”