WASHINGTON — The United States and South Korea are urging China to leverage its influence over Russia and North Korea to inhibit rising tensions, particularly in light of North Korea dispatching thousands of troops to assist Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. So far, China has refrained from commenting publicly on this development.
In an unusual meeting this week, three senior U.S. diplomats engaged with China’s ambassador to underline their concerns and press for China’s intervention to limit North Korean cooperation with Russia. A State Department official, who requested anonymity, provided this information.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken commented on the discussions, indicating that they were substantive and that China is aware of U.S. expectations. He stated that they expect China to exert its influence to counteract these activities. “This is a demand signal not just from us but from nations globally,” he noted during a press briefing in Washington alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean officials.
According to U.S. sources, approximately 8,000 North Korean soldiers have positioned themselves near Ukraine’s border and are preparing for imminent participation in combat operations against Ukrainian forces.
China has developed a “no limits” partnership with Russia and has historically been a significant ally to North Korea. However, experts suggest that China may not entirely support the deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea, seeing it as potentially disruptive to regional stability.
When inquired about the discussions among U.S. and Chinese diplomats, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, stated that he could not provide any details at that time. He reiterated that China’s positions regarding Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula have remained constant, advocating for a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, as well as promoting stability on the Korean Peninsula.
The partnership between Russia and North Korea contradicts China’s objectives for a serene Korean Peninsula, according to Shi Yinhong, an international relations scholar at Renmin University in China. He emphasized that China’s lack of reaction to the military alliance signals strong disagreement with the developments.
Dennis Wilder, a senior fellow for the Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue at Georgetown University, criticized China’s lack of public reaction, describing it as “staggering.” He argued that Beijing must navigate the delicate tension of supporting Russia while not alienating Western powers, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping might opt to remain silent for his own interests.
Wilder highlighted that Xi has cultivated a relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, feeling that he cannot allow Putin to falter. However, with China’s economy facing challenges, Xi may avoid public acknowledgment of the situation to prevent aggravating relations with Western nations.
Defense Secretary Austin remarked that China ought to be pressing Russia for answers regarding its intentions to expand the conflict through such actions.
In Washington, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and other officials met with Chinese envoy Xie Feng, but details regarding China’s feedback have not been disclosed.
Lu Chao, a director at the Institute of American and East Asian Studies in Liaoning Province, expressed that the U.S. should not anticipate China to take on the responsibility of managing North Korea. He argued that China maintains a friendly relationship with both North and South Korea and stressed the need for an understanding of China’s position regarding the Korean Peninsula.
Lu also pointed out that troop movements are primarily a concern between Russia and North Korea. He reaffirmed that China’s consistent perspective advocates for a political resolution rather than the escalation of conflict.