The Chinese government has stated that ties with North Korea remain firm, despite the recent critique of China by the North Korean state media, according to an article by Channel News Asia.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) denounced the Chinese media, particularly the official Communist Party mouthpiece the People’s Daily. KCNA also denounced the Global Times for “[raising] lame excuses for the base acts of dancing to the tune of the U.S.”
“The DPRK will never beg for the maintenance of friendship with China, risking its nuclear program which is as precious as its own life,” KCNA stated.
In addition, KCNA reminded China of North Korea’s role of being a buffer during the Korean War, when tensions between Beijing and Washington escalated.
KCNA, which regularly criticizes Japan, the U.S. and South Korea, concluded its commentary by warning of “grave consequences” once North Korea’s patience runs out.
“China had better ponder over the grave consequences to be entailed by its reckless acts of chopping down the pillar of the DPRK-China relations.”
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang addressed the critique on Thursday, May 4. He reiterated that Beijing remains a friend to Pyongyang, with the former in a constant state of “developing good neighborly and friendly cooperation” with North Korea.
On the other hand, Geng also stated that China is deeply committed to the whole denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through peaceful means.
China and North Korea have established ties since the Korean War, with the former taking the role of the latter’s partner in trade and main source of aid. But North Korea’s recent threats and antics regarding its nuclear capability have strained the relationship. It doesn’t help that Kim Jong-un, who has been in power for more than five years, has yet to pay Beijing a visit.
Experts point out that KCNA’s critique of China is a sign of the deteriorating relationship.
Meanwhile, various state-run media in China have urged the government to take harsher actions against North Korea.