Is China an ally of North Korea?

[Jay1]

Somebody expressed a view in another thread that China is an ally of North Korea. So I'm interested in the train of thought that would lead anyone to that conclusion.

My view is China have prospered in the world and they would certainly not align themselves with North Korea - but I might be wrong?

[Jess]

http://www.cfr.org/china/china-north-korea-relationship/p11097

China is North Korea's most important ally, biggest trading partner, and main source of food, arms, and fuel. China has helped sustain what is now Kim Jong-un's regime, and has historically opposed harsh international economic sanctions in the hope of avoiding regime collapse and an uncontrolled influx of refugees across its eight hundred-mile border with North Korea. But after Pyongyang's third nuclear test in February 2013, experts say that China's patience with its ally may be wearing thin. This latest nuclear test, following one in 2006 and another in May 2009, has complicated North Korea's relationship with Beijing, which has played a central role in the Six Party Talks, the multilateral framework aimed at denuclearizing North Korea.

China is an ally but it seems like it's been strained a bit.

[Jay1]

http://www.cfr.org/china/china-north-korea-relationship/p11097



China is an ally but it seems like it's been strained a bit.

So China are not going to be backing up North Korea if they chose to start a war?

That is usually what allies do :)

[TheBassoonist]

So China are not going to be backing up North Korea if they chose to start a war?

If North Korea strikes first, China will not back them. I also doubt that if the US, Japan, South Korea, or some other country strikes first, China will still not back North Korea. China will most likely stay neutral.

The fact of the matter is this: the United States is a major trade partner with China. If China fights a war against the US, it'll lose that major trade partner. It wouldn't make any sense.

And to answer your original question, China is technically an ally of NK, but they don't have very good relations since China supported UN sanctions against NK earlier this year.

[Lonely teen]

Yes and no yes because it is a neighbor and backed it up in the first Korean War and no because China doesn't want the US on its boarder

[Stronger]

If North Korea strikes first, China will not back them. I also doubt that if the US, Japan, South Korea, or some other country strikes first, China will still not back North Korea. China will most likely stay neutral.

The fact of the matter is this: the United States is a major trade partner with China. If China fights a war against the US, it'll lose that major trade partner. It wouldn't make any sense.

And to answer your original question, China is technically an ally of NK, but they don't have very good relations since China supported UN sanctions against NK earlier this year.

This, if it came down to war, I don't believe China will back the NK, not saying it will back the US, but China can't afford to get into the NK's sticky situations.

[roadwarrior]

PR China and North Korea are allies and has strong diplomatic relations. Since the PR China entered Korean War to support North Korea in 1950. On 1961, the two countries signed the Sino-North Korean Mutual Aid and Cooperation Friendship Treaty wherein the PR China pledged to immediately render military and other assistance by all means to its ally against any outside attack. The treaty was prolonged twice, in 1981 and in 2001. Though, the treaty has its validity until the year 2021.

[Hypers]

They are technicality allies, but they don't agree on everything the other does. One example is the nuclear tests. China also can't back north Korea if a war does erupt, because then China would be blamed harshly by the international community and heavy sanctions would be placed.

[Nellerin]

Somebody expressed a view in another thread that China is an ally of North Korea. So I'm interested in the train of thought that would lead anyone to that conclusion.

My view is China have prospered in the world and they would certainly not align themselves with North Korea - but I might be wrong?

Yes but they have been distancing themselves during the past couple of weeks. Not helping with envoys, turning off some communication, and overall just showing unapproval when it comes to NK's actions.

[xmojox]

Somebody expressed a view in another thread that China is an ally of North Korea. So I'm interested in the train of thought that would lead anyone to that conclusion.

My view is China have prospered in the world and they would certainly not align themselves with North Korea - but I might be wrong?

Satisfied now?

[TheBigUnit]

NK is more like China's rabid lapdog

[Human]

China is North Korea's strongest ally. They share a lot of trade, and North Korea even let China capitalize a part of it.
There is a border town China-NK where lots of trade goes on, and lots of defects.

[Left Now]

PRC is against the US plans for that important area...So i think they will aid NK against US and Japan and South Korea...
But if NK gets into serious places,i do not think china would support them

[VictoriaGotaSecret]

they are allies but if North Korea starts anything violent China said they wont help them

[Left Now]

Yes...agreed

[Jay1]

Satisfied now?

The thread was a joke - i guess you didn't get the joke :)

[The LOLer]

I don't see why they would, NK wants to take over the world.

[Jay1]

I don't see why they would, NK wants to take over the world.

So do I - but I ain't got the firepower to do it ;)

[The LOLer]

So do I - but I ain't got the firepower to do it ;)

:headbonk: