China and North Korea’s Friendly Relationship Should Not Be Disrupted by South Korea, America or Japan

Published in Huanqiu
(China) on 18 March 2018
by Editorial (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Yuzhi Yang. Edited by Elizabeth Cosgriff.
The North Korean nuclear crisis has pushed North Korea to the forefront of global controversy. The press coverage in South Korea, Japan and the Western media has dominated global opinion. For China and North Korea, the issue of how to identify and manage the differences between their two countries over the nuclear issue, as well as handling their friendly relationship without interference by the South Korean, Japanese and Western media, is a critical test, and one that both countries should value highly.

Chinese society should first of all stay aware, stay determined, and not be led by forces with ulterior motives.

The Global Times has always strongly supported the Chinese government’s advocacy in support of denuclearization of the peninsula and maintaining peace. At the same time, we believe it is very important that the two countries maintain a friendly relationship and reduce any outside impact on their interaction. We hope that Chinese society can reach a consensus on this subject.

Serious differences involving the nuclear issue are a reality in the China-North Korea relationship, but should not be the entirety of the relationship between the two countries, nor should they sever our longstanding strategic links. Perhaps we need to clarify some of the understanding and thinking in related areas.

First, North Korea is a country worth respecting. It is highly autonomous, which is very rare in Northeast Asia. Its economy may be small, but its industrial system is relatively comprehensive, something which was challenging to achieve. In addition, its social economic development is not as bleak as some outsiders like to describe, and almost everyone who has visited North Korea has discovered certain highlights during their trip.

Second, North Korea has the right to choose its own political system, and to be free from outside interference. The Chinese public should understand this fact. There are big differences among the different political systems in the world. Attacking the North Korean political system is not fair. South Korea has a special bond with North Korea; its attacks on the North Korean political process and on the reputation of the North Korean leader are not right. The Chinese press should not be similarly influenced.

Third, we have to understand that the idea that “China did not control North Korea well” is an incorrect theory. It is a theory that South Korea, Japan and America like to popularize, and an opinion that some Chinese in China like to agree with. We have to see the forged-in-blood bond between China and North Korea. However, China withdrew its military presence and most of its influence from North Korea. North Korea is a completely independent country, and the China-North Korea relationship is completely different from America’s experience involving a long-term military presence in South Korea, its complete influence over South Korea, and the U.S.-South Korea alliance. China does not have the ability to “control North Korea,” and controlling neighboring countries runs counter to China’s long-term diplomatic policy. China and North Korea are completely equal, mutually respecting and friendly neighboring countries.

Fourth, the only difference between China and North Korea is centered on the nuclear issue. Other than this, the other so-called conflicts between the two countries are fabricated. South Korea, America and Japan would love to see the differences over the nuclear issue develop into a total confrontation. To this end, they have spread numerous rumors and tirelessly tried to instigate trouble between the two countries. They are hoping that the relationship between North Korea and China becomes antagonistic so it will diffuse the tension between themselves and North Korea, and move the peninsula’s focus to China as opposed to North Korea in an effort to reap all the gains.

Fifth, maintaining a friendly relationship between China and North Korea is fully in both countries’ interests. China benefits from the strategy of maintaining friendly neighbors, and from expanding our room to maneuver in Northeast Asian affairs. North Korea’s confrontation with South Korea, Japan and America is harsh and dangerous, so China’s support for its pursuit of national security and legitimate rights will help strengthen its position in discussions with South Korea, Japan and America, and help resolve more of the risks it faces.

The Korean Peninsula problem is complex. There will be an endless series of incidents and much information that interferes with the mutual understanding between China and North Korea, and the press in South Korea, Japan and America will continue to create trouble. We hope that the parties in both China and North Korea will play a crucial role in maintaining their relationship’s stability, so that those who seek to disrupt it will have no market or opportunity to do so. This will also ensure that the China-North Korea relationship will continue to move forward on the right path which benefits both countries and their citizens.


  朝核危机将朝鲜推向全球舆论的焦点,韩日及西方舆论机构生产的信息基本上主导了世界舆论场。对中朝两国来说,如何在双方围绕核问题的分歧与中朝友好关系之间进行区分和把握,如何在这方面免受韩日及西方舆论的影响,是一个重大考验,两国都应高度重视。

  中国社会首先要做到清醒,保持定力,切不可被别有用心的势力牵了牛鼻子。

  《环球时报》一直坚决支持中国政府的半岛无核化和反对半岛生战生乱的主张,同时坚决认为保持中朝友好关系、尽量减少这一关系受到冲击十分必要。我们希望,中国社会有能力就这一问题建立共识。

  就核问题存在严重分歧,这是中朝关系的现实,但它在任何时候都不应成为两国关系的全部,不应割断中朝关系长久以来的战略线索。我们或许需要将有关的认识和思路做一些整理,做出一些重要的厘清。

  首先,朝鲜是一个值得尊重的国家。它高度独立自主,这在东北亚极其难得。它经济规模虽不大,但工业体系却相对完备,做到这一点也非常不易。另外朝鲜的经济社会发展不像外界描述的那样一片灰暗,几乎所有去过朝鲜的人都在那里发现了一些意想不到的亮点。

  第二,朝鲜有权利选择本国的政治体制,外界不应干预,中国公众尤其对此应予理解。世界各国的政治体制差别很大,单独将朝鲜政治体制揪出来进行攻击,是不公正的。韩国作为与朝鲜有特殊亲缘的国家,长期是攻击朝鲜政治体制、抹黑朝鲜领导人的急先锋,这很不应该,中国舆论决不可受其影响。

  第三,要认清“中国没有管好朝鲜”这种论调是错误的。它是韩美日经常宣扬的说法,中国国内也有一些人跟着附和。必须看到抗美援朝为中朝建立了鲜血凝成的友谊,但之后中国不仅撤出了在朝鲜的军事存在,也撤出了在该国的大部分影响。朝鲜成为完全独立自主的国家,中朝关系与美国在韩国保持驻军并全面影响韩国的同盟关系完全不是一个性质,中国没有能力“管朝鲜”,控制邻国也与中国的长期外交政策相悖,中朝是相互平等和彼此尊重的友好邻邦。

  第四,围绕核问题的分歧是中朝之间的唯一重大分歧,在此之外,中朝关系的其他所谓矛盾基本都是被臆想出来的。韩美日很希望中朝核分歧演化成两国的全面对立,它们为此散布了大量谣言,不遗余力地试图离间中朝,希望中朝走向对立,分散它们与朝鲜的紧张对峙,成为半岛新的焦点,它们得以袖手旁观。

  第五,中朝保持友好关系完全符合两个国家的各自利益。对中国来说,这有利于我们周边友好战略的完整,增加我们在东北亚事务中的回旋空间。对朝鲜来说,它单独应对韩美日是困难和凶险的,中国对其谋求国家安全正当权利的支持有助于它增强与韩美日谈判的地位,化解它的更多风险。

  半岛问题错综复杂,不断会有各种事件和信息干扰中朝社会的相互认识,韩美日舆论会不停兴风作浪。我们希望,中朝两党关系为两国关系的稳定发挥中坚作用,让推波助澜者没有市场,找不到机会,确保中朝关系在有利于两国和两国人民的正确道路上平稳前行。
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