North Korea’s Deepening Russia Ties Pose Challenges for China

Chinese tourists, gathered on a 12-storey structure, contend with the crisp autumn air to secure optimal positions for photographing the juncture where their nation converges with Russia and North Korea. A map displayed on the wall, illustrating the unique geographical significance of Fangchuan in China’s north-east corner, shows the three national flags overlapping. “I feel very proud to be standing here… with Russia on my left and North Korea on my right,” declared one woman on a trip with her co-workers. She added, “There are no borders among the people.” This sentiment might be overly optimistic. Much like the narrow strip of Chinese territory she visited, Beijing itself is positioned between its sanctioned neighbors. Concerns regarding the burgeoning alliance between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have intensified in recent weeks, following reports of North Korea deploying thousands of troops to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This occurred before Pyongyang launched a banned intercontinental missile on Thursday, achieving the longest flight recorded to date, after weeks of escalating rhetoric against Seoul. “China seeks a relationship with a reasonable, high level of control over North Korea,” stated Christopher Green, an analyst from the International Crisis Group. He added, “And North Korea’s relationship with Russia threatens to undermine that.” If Chinese leader Xi Jinping is unable to shape the Putin-Kim alliance to align with his interests, China could remain in a difficult position as Western anger and anxiety grow. Moscow