Tucked on a 12-story structure in northeast China, visitors flock to get a rare view of the junction of their nation with North Korea and Russia. This is a special vantage point for patriotic visitors and inquisitive tourists here in Fangchuan since national flags of the three countries cross on a wall map. Many are happy to capture the odd junction of global boundaries by snapping pictures, therefore expressing pride in the symbolic unity.
Beijing confronts a harsh reality, nevertheless, even as visitors applaud an apparently harmonic setting. Under Western sanctions, China’s posture is becoming unstable as North Korea and Russia, both defying the global system, progressively cooperate. Fears have grown over recent revelations implying that North Korea has sent troops to support Russia’s operations in Ukraine, strengthening a growing alliance that questions China’s interests and attempts to impose influence over its neighbors.
Geopolitical Strain on China’s Borders
China has always maintained a carefully balanced relationship with North Korea, hoping to retain some influence free from entanglement in Pyongyang’s harsh policies. However, experts think Beijing’s influence over its long-time friend is eroding as North Korea closes ties to Moscow. Vladimir Putin’s latest partnership with Kim Jong Un brings further dangers and raises questions about how Moscow’s cooperation with Pyongyang can cause more instability in East Asia.
Beijing “seeks a relationship with a reasonable, high level of control over North Korea,” says Christopher Green of the International Crisis Group, but Russia’s influence could throw off that agreement. As China’s friends act to intensify Western anxieties and scrutiny, its ambitions of global leadership and solid relationships are under question.
A Sensitive Subject within a Surveillance State
While visitors savor the uniqueness of seeing North Korea from Fangchuan, reporters deal with another reality. Authorities regularly stop, follow, and monitor media teams entering the area—a clear indication Beijing still worries about world impression. During one such visit, local authorities limited access to reporters, their recordings deleted, and they were under constant observation.
Tight government supervision demonstrates an understanding of how the developing dynamics can affect China’s goals and image. Beijing is wary about becoming too close to Moscow’s armed aspirations even with its relationship with Russia as commerce with Western nations is still vital for its economy.
“Lips and Teeth” – An Unbroken Friendship Under Stress
It’s clear to visitors looking through binoculars across the Tumen River into North Korea the variations in wealth. China’s bustling metropolis stands in sharp contrast to the peaceful North Korean villages across the border, whose decrepit infrastructure and bicycles provide as sobering reminders of North Korea’s reliance on China for supplies. Examining the scene, a middle-aged Chinese tourist notes, “Seeing how they live makes me realize China is prosperous and strong.”
Keep Reading
Historically said to be as close as “lips and teeth,” Beijing and Pyongyang’s relationship has started to sour as North Korea turns more to Russia for aid. Having spent decades researching North Korea, sociologist Aidan Foster-Carter described Kim Jong Un as the “comrade from hell” for both China and Russia—taking as much aid as possible while working toward his own goals. Kim referred to Putin as “my closest comrade,” a remark not directed toward Xi Jinping, whom he has not seen in years, on his recent birthday.
As South Korea looks at enhancing its military capability—including the prospect of gaining nuclear weapons—this partnership has generated rippling effects in the area. U.S. authorities are also trying to handle North Korea’s claimed troop assistance for China-based diplomats. These events challenge Beijing’s goal of a more steady, China-led East Asia free from American influence disintegrating.
China has been careful, though, in implementing extreme policies meant to challenge the partnership. Although it has the financial clout to limit resources to North Korea, doing so could set off a humanitarian and economic disaster that would send waves of migrants across the border, upsetting China’s own northeastern provinces. Stopping vital supplies to Pyongyang runs the danger of driving North Korea further closer to Moscow, a situation Beijing wishes to avoid.
China’s Dilemma: Should Intervention Be Made?
Moscow and Pyongyang deny the deployment of North Korean personnel in Ukraine, experts caution Beijing’s tolerance is being tested. Growing reliance of North Korea on Russia for military equipment and satellites could compromise Beijing’s capacity to control its friend. China finds itself engaged in a convoluted, high-stakes game of relationships as it tries to offset the dominance of the U.S. and its allies in the area, where one mistake may aggravate tensions on its own border.
In Fangchuan, the scene of visitors appreciating the far-off North Korean terrain is calm, a snapshot of nationalism and inquiry. For Chinese leadership, however, the perspective from this border town provides an increasingly difficult problem. Beijing has to thread a tightrope as Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin strengthen their alliance, controlling the behavior of its friends without cutting ties completely. China’s handling of this delicate issue will not only determine its position in the area but also define its capacity to lead in a globe growingly split by changing loyalties and new alliances.
