A Regional Play of the Global Game: China’s Korea Policy and the Sino-American Relationship

Abstract

This paper describes China’s policy towards the two Koreas in the context of the global game of the Sino-American relationship. It outlines the key motivations behind the making of Chinese foreign policy in general and the uncertainties and constraints produced by China’s relationship with the United States. As a result of its overall objectives in diplomacy, Beijing is seeking a shared strategic interest with Washington on the Korean Peninsula but prefers the continued survival of the DPRK regime and simultaneously develops ever-closer relations with the ROK. China’s basic policy towards the two Koreas remains in favor of maintaining the status quo as well as aiming towards the denuclearization of the peninsula. However, the uncertainties and complications of China-US/Japan relations profoundly affect China’s strategic calculations and Beijing may be ready to make major shifts in its policy on Korean unification and the North Korean nuclear issue, as its power grows and its relations with Washington and Tokyo become increasingly complicated.