China is in conflict with itself: how Beijing views the agreement between Russia and the DPRK

China is in conflict with itself: how Beijing views the treaty between Russia and the DPRK Alexandra Sadovaya

Russia and North Korea signed a mutual agreement that provides for the exchange of military assistance. This is a very controversial situation for China, but so far Beijing is not talking about it out loud.

This opinion 24 Channel was voiced by former CIA North Korea analyst Sue Mi Terry. According to her, China should work with the United States and try to influence both the Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin and the head of the DPRK Kim Jong-un.

A contradictory situation for China

Sue Mi Terry noted that, on the one hand, China benefits when the United States is distracted by other events in the world. Beijing believes that this is better than if the Americans were focused only on competition with China. If the US is focused on the war in Ukraine, it will also be good for the Chinese.

On the other hand, China does not want to strengthen the US trilateral relationship, Japan and South Korea do not want more military exercises and training on the Korean Peninsula, chaos and instability. This increases tension on the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, this is a contradictory situation for them. “I think that China is in conflict with itself on this matter,” she suggested.

However, so far Beijing is quietly reacting to this situation and does not speak its opinion out loud. The former CIA employee emphasized that China and the United States have certain common interests. Both countries do not want instability on the Korean Peninsula and further escalation.

“So I think Beijing should work with the Joe Biden administration and try to influence both Putin and Kim Jong Eun. Because China is probably the only country in the world that has any influence on Putin and Kim Jong-un,” says the former CIA analyst.