China-North Korea relations: Is the Kim regime becoming a threat and enemy to China?

Abstract

China and North Korea relations have significantly deteriorated due to North Korea’s continuing
missile and nuclear tests. Kim Jong-un’s determination of becoming a nuclear-armed state and Donald
Trump’s war rhetoric against North Korea, have unfolded the increasingly challenge of dealing with
an unpredictable neighbor and rising nuclear security concerns for the Chinese government.The
high possibility of war in Northeast Asia, has triggered an intense debate in China over its policy
towards North Korea which reflects the strong divide on this issue not only in the public but also
among Chinese foreign policy-makers