CLAWS Web Article, April 1, 2015
Suparna Banerjee, Junior Research Fellow, ISSSP, NIAS
China has been a long term ally of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Lately, the relation has suffered a jolt owing to the latter’s persistent test of nuclear weapons despite reluctance from China. However, China cannot ignore DPRK’s strategic significance. Furthermore, DPRK has diversified its relations recently such as with Russia. This adds to the growing complexities in the bilateral relations between DPRK and China. The article analyses China’s foreign policy towards DPRK and assesses how Beijing will deal with Pyongyang, in light of the growing tensions.