The United States believes China is worried about North Korea’s potential for heightened aggression following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Pyongyang. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell expressed this concern on Monday at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Campbell stated that China has conveyed anxiety during interactions with the US regarding Putin’s signing of a defense deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He believes this may embolden North Korea to take provocative actions leading to a crisis in Northeast Asia.
Heightening these concerns are North Korea’s recent border skirmishes with South Korea, their inflammatory rhetoric, and their apparent disinterest in diplomacy with the US. Russia is also seen as potentially offering increased support, including nuclear assistance, according to Campbell.
This development is considered a dangerous escalation by the US. North Korea already benefits from its partnership with Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power, which has aided Moscow’s war in Ukraine through North Korean artillery supplies.
Putin’s agreement with Kim includes mutual aid in case of attack, reminiscent of Cold War alliances. Notably, China, traditionally North Korea’s primary partner, has remained publicly silent on Putin’s trip while maintaining a recent distance from Kim’s regime.
While the US accuses China of indirectly fueling the Russian military through industrial exports, Campbell acknowledged a shared Western antagonism between China and Russia. However, he predicts future tensions between the two major powers due to differing stances on North Korea and China’s influence in Central Asia.
In the short term, Campbell suggests China may hold the upper hand, potentially acquiring advanced submarines or technology from Russia.
