Xi Jinping’s Visit and Future Prospects of Beijing–Pyongyang Cooperation

No. 2019-20 (June 26, 2019)

Dr. Chung Jaehung

Research Fellow, The Sejong Institute

(jameschung@sejong.org)

Amidst heated power competition between China and the United States, Chinese president Xi Jinping(习近平)’s visit to Pyongyang, a capital of North Korea, is creating ripple effects across the Korean Peninsula. This was the first time in 14 years that a Chinese leader made a visit to North Korea. This also marks the fifth summit meeting between President Xi and Chairman Kim Jong-un since their first meetin in March of 2018. Until now, all previous meetings were conducted by Chairman Kim visiting China.

President Xi was the first Chinese leader to post an official article to North Korea’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, with a title of “Let Us Carry on China–North Korea Friendship and Engrave New Chapters in the Coming Era.” A street parade that involved 250 thousand Pyongyang citizens and mass gymnastics games of 100 thousand people demonstrated the world the unique blood-forged partnership between these two countries, sharing socialist ideology.

Xi also pledged to resolve Pyongyang’s issues regarding security and economic development as much as possible, explicitly stating his active will to improve bilateral and strategic cooperation with North Korea. Xi’s state visit was aimed at “establishing a new type of bilateral relationship while maintaining the founding spirit and holding hands between the two nations.” The two countries shared the view of maintaining a socialist regime under communist party leadership, while implementing the socialist belief and ideal. Beijing and Pyongyang are expected to enhance close and strategic cooperation to advance not only political-economic ties, but also denuclearization and establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

The two leaders agreed to apply a sophisticated strategic approach and consider long-term political risks and factors in resolving the denuclearization issue and to respond collectively in order to achieve peace and stability of the peninsula. The two countries intend to broaden bilateral ties and cooperations to areas such as tourism, education, public health, sports, media, youth, and regional exchange, which will facilitate interactions in the border regions, as well as the central government and academia. Although exchange in military and security sectors had been halted due to nuclear and missile tests conducted by Pyongyang, it is likely that this will be revitalized through this event, since Mr. Miao Hua, a senior official of the People’s Liberation Army, accompanied President Xi on his visit.

At the summit, Xi and Kim agreed that the denuclearization issue will be resolved through political means such as dialogue and negotiations. It seems possible that the two countries will emphasize a phased approach, a principle of “action-to-corresponding-action,” and a “two-track solution.” It seems likely that Pyongyang will ask Washington for partial lifting of sanctions and four-party declaration of the end of Korean War, as rewards for closing down the nuclear facilities in Yongbyon.

President Xi’s visit holds much strategic significance. From the summit meeting, Xi was able to establish a firm partnership with Pyongyang to respond to power competition with Washington, while wiping out doubts that China can be overlooked in matters related to the Korean Peninsula. On the other hand, Chairman Kim has secured Xi’s China as a firm and stable ally to approach the nuclear issue toward negotiations that involve a phased approach and a principle of reciprocity.

With Mr. Xi’s visit marking the 70th Anniversary of DPRK-PRC relations, we can expect a new kind of bilateral relationship between the two countries, similar to that of Kim Il-sung–Mao Zedong(毛泽东) years. Meanwhile, Xi also clearly expressed that China will facilitate Korea’s denuclearization, meaning that he may intend to take part and make a significant contribution to upcoming negotiations. Xi’s visit also provided clear evidence that Beijing has leverage over Pyongyang. On the other hand, if President Xi continues to postpone his visit to South Korea, China’s influence over diplomatics on the Korean peninsula will continue to stay limited. If China wishes to enhance its political and diplomatic status in Northeast Asia and lead the new era of peace and prosperity, President Xi must visit South Korea at the earliest possible opportunity. Seoul – Beijing relations must be restored, and strategic cooperation and communication must be strengthened to facilitate denuclearization process and peace regime on the Korean peninsula.

※ Translator’s note: This is a summarized unofficial translation of the original paper which was written in Korean. All references should be made to the original paper.

※ This article is written based on the author’s personal opinions and does not reflect the views of the Sejong Institute.