China Moves to Improve Ties with North Korea as Economic Exchanges Recover

Whether North Korea-China Relations Will Recover
High-Level Exchanges Are Key

China and North Korea are experiencing a recovery in economic exchanges, which may indicate that China is seeking to improve its relationship with North Korea following a period of cooling after the strengthening of ties between North Korea and Russia, the Sankei Shimbun reported on August 4.

Yonhap News

According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, the trade volume between China and North Korea from January to June this year reached 1.20675 billion dollars (approximately 1.7 trillion won), representing an increase of about 30% compared to the same period last year. In particular, China's exports to North Korea amounted to 1.05048 billion dollars, a 33% increase from the previous year.

The Sankei Shimbun reported that exports of construction materials and furniture to North Korea, which are in response to North Korea's construction demand, stood out. It also noted that in Sinuiju, which suffered damage from a large-scale flood in July last year, embankment expansion work is currently underway.

Recently, travel-related websites operated by North Korean authorities have posted information about trains connecting Pyongyang and Beijing, as well as round-trip flights between Pyongyang and Shanghai.

The newspaper also observed, "Although the specific timing for the resumption of these train and flight services has not yet been announced, it appears that coordination between North Korea and China is underway."

A diplomatic source in Beijing commented on this trend, saying, "It is possible that China has begun to adjust its approach to North Korea in consideration of changes in the international situation."

In this context, the newspaper reported that there is analysis suggesting China may be seeking to secure its influence over North Korea either in anticipation of a possible meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, or in preparation for an easing of tensions between the two Koreas.

The report also introduced statements from Chinese media officials, who said, "It will be necessary to watch future high-level exchanges to see whether the restoration of North Korea-China relations will enter full swing."

The newspaper went on to predict that the attendance of North Korean representatives at the "80th Anniversary of the Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War (World War II)" to be held in Beijing on September 3 will serve as a "touchstone for assessing North Korea-China relations."

At the 70th anniversary event for the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan held in 2015, Choe Ryong Hae, secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, attended on behalf of North Korea.