China-DPRK relations: retrospectives and perspectives
Research Article
How to Cite
Asmolov K.V. China-DPRK relations: retrospectives and perspectives. Vlast’ (The Authority). 2025. Vol. 33. No. S4. P. 45-98. (in Russ.).
Abstract
The author’s article provides a comprehensive analysis of the political aspects of the 75-year-long relationship between China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), with a particular focus on the leadership of Kim Jong-un.
The relationship between China and North Korea has experienced both positive and negative developments, but following the “Olympic thaw” in 2018, it remains at a relatively high level. Beijing and Pyongyang continue to discuss the historical friendship formed through the efforts of Chinese volunteers during the Korean War (1950–1953), regardless of the current global political climate. Both countries are committed to building socialism, and their respective ruling parties are working together to create a bright future. The two parties regularly exchange friendly messages and offer each other political and diplomatic support.
To date, relations between China and North Korea can be described as a strategic alliance united by a shared threat and influenced by trends of global instability and increased tension between China and Western countries. Although there are challenges in bilateral relations, these are less significant than a response to external pressure. Given the trend of increasing tension between China and the United States, this will continue to be a significant factor in regional security.
The signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Russia and the subsequent rapprochement between Moscow and Pyongyang has caused some concern in China. However, this concern is more prevalent in society and among experts. There are no signs of official dissatisfaction or measures to address this issue.
In the future, the alliance between China and North Korea is likely to continue, as international developments will keep the two countries “in the same camp.” Furthermore, it is highly probable that at some point in the future, China will need to take a more significant step towards greater cooperation with its allies.
Keywords:
Chinese foreign policy, DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) foreign policy, “blood ties of friendship”, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un
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Asmolov K.V. Kak i pochemu Kitai perestaet byt' posrednikom mezhdu Pkhen'yanom i Seulom // Kitai v mirovoi i regional'noi politike. Istoriya i sovremennost'. Vypusk XXVIII / V.E. Petrovskii, E.I. Safronova, SH. Uizarat i dr. – 2023. – Gl. 12. – DOI: 10.48647/ICCA.2023.93.49.013 (RUS.)
Asmolov K. V., Zakharova L. V. Sovremennaya Severnaya Koreya: pervoe desyatiletie ehpokhi Kim Chen Yna (2012—2021). – M.: IKSA RAN, 2022. 440 s. DOI: 10.48647/IFES.2022.83.95.009 ISBN: ISBN 978-5-8381-0450-2 (RUS.)
Istoriya Korei: Novoe prochtenie/pod red. A. V. Torkunova. – M.: ROSSPEHN. 2003. ISBN: 5-8243-0436-X (RUS.)
Kapitsa M.S.Na raznykh parallelyakh : Zapiski diplomata. — M.: AO «Kniga i bizneS», 1996. ISBN: 5-212-00823-9 (RUS.)
Kashin V. B.. Kitaiskaya kartina budushchego mira i mesto Rossii v nem // Tetradi po konservatizmu. 2015. № 5. Izd. Fonda ISEHPI. S. 159–166. (RUS.)
Kommentarii ARRC: «Rossiiskie mechtY» Pkhen'yana// Asia Risk Research Center, 05.08. 2024. URL: https://asiarisk.org/novosti/449kommentarij-arrc-rossijskie-mechty-pkhenyana (RUS.)
Lan'kov A. N. Severnaya Koreya: vchera i segodnya. – M., 1995. (RUS.)
Lan'kov, A. N. Avgust 1956 god. Krizis v Severnoi Koree // ROSSPEHN, Moskva, 2009 g. Popov I. M., Lavrenov S. YA., Bogdanov V. N. Koreya v ogne voiny : k 55-letiyu nachala voiny v Koree, 1950–1953 gg. Moskva, Kuchkovo pole, 2005. 543 s. ISBN 5-86090-100-3 St'yuk U. Koreiskaya voina. – M., 2002. ISBN: 5-17-014465-2 (RUS.)
Tkachenko V. P. Koreiskii poluostrov i interesy Rossii. Moskva : Vostochnaya literatura RAN, 2000. ISBN 5-02-018174-9. (RUS.)
Tkachenko V. P. Koreya i ee velikii sosed// Koreiskii poluostrov: vremya novykh vyzovov. – M.: IDV RAN, 2009. S. 53–69. (RUS.)
Tkachenko V. P. Uroki koreiskogo krizisa 1968 goda // Problemy Dal'nego Vostoka. 2008. № 1. S. 82–102. Torkunov A. V., Denisov V. I., Li V. F. Koreiskii poluostrov: metamorfozy poslevoennoi istorii. OLMA Media Grupp. Moskva; 2008 ISBN 978-5-373-02096-1. (RUS.)
Shin V. A. Kitai i koreiskie gosudarstva vo vtoroi polovine KHKH stoletiya. – M., 1998. ISBN 5-211-04056-2 (RUS.)
Breen, Michael. Kim Jong-Il: North Korea’s Dear Leader. Who He is, What He Wants, What to Do about Him. New York, 2004.
Chae-Jin Lee, China and Korea: Dynamic Relations, Stanford, The Hoover Institution for War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford University, 1996, pp. 99-100.
Chin O. Chung, Pyongyang Between Peking and Moscow: North Korea’s Involvement in the Sino-Soviet Dispute, 1958—1975, The University of Alabama Press, 1978, p. 120
Cumings, Bruce. Korea’s place in the sun. A modern history. New York, 1998.
Henderson, Gregory. Korea. The policy of the vortex. Cambridge, London, 1978.
Oberdorfer, Don. The Two Koreas. A contemporary History. New York,1997.
Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance Between the People’s Republic of China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea // Peking Review, Vol. 4, No. 28, p.5.
中华人民共和国中央人民政府.全球安全倡议概念文件（全文） // Tsentral'noe narodnoe pravitel'stvo Kitaiskoi Narodnoi Respubliki. «Kontseptual'nyi dokument global'noi initsiativy po bezopasnosti (polnyi tekst).» – February 21, 2023. – URL: https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2023-02.21.content_5742481.html – (Accessed 14.04.2025)
Article
Received: 22.09.2025
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Asmolov, K. V. (2025). China-DPRK relations: retrospectives and perspectives. Vlast’ (The Authority), 33(S4), 45-98. Retrieved from https://www.jour.fnisc.ru/index.php/vlast/article/view/10805
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