China's Strategic Relations with the Two Koreas.
Abstract
Since the People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea in 1992, relations between China and the ROK have strengthened, straining Beijing's relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Yet China will not abandon North Korea, whose existence as an independent state is useful to China both in terms of providing ideological support for communism and as a way for China to apply leverage on Korean affairs. China's relationship with the ROK is closer than most Americans think and will continue to improve. South Koreans respect but do not fear China. On the psychological and cultural level, South Koreans feel closer to Chinese than to Japanese or Americans. China could respond to fears of American hegemony by strengthening its relations with one or both Koreas; likewise, disagreements between the ROK and the United States on such matters as trade or Washington's North Korea policy could push the ROK closer to China. The US, by virtue of its economic strength and global political power, is in a good position to influence events in Northeast Asia if it can preserve its close relationship with the ROK while engaging the DPRK, thus matching the influence that China has on the Korean peninsula.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA331317
Entities
People
- Kongdan O. Hassig
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses