Tragedy of Chinese diplomacy

Tuesday’s shelling of a South Korean military installment by North Korea has undoubtedly raised questions on the Chinese support of the North Korean regime, which is emerging as a nuisance to its immediate neighbors, South Korea and Japan. It is indeed a great tragedy of Chinese diplomacy that it has failed to rein in North Korea and make it a responsible country. It is not hard to infer that most of North Korea’s misadventures stem from the unequivocal support it receives from China.



North Korea’s anachronistic regime is emerging as a threat not only to the North East Asian region but also to the world. Its insistence on developing nuclear weapons, sinking of a South Korean military vessel, Cheonan, killing 46 servicemen earlier this year and now shelling of a South Korean military installment inside South Korea for the first time after an armistice was signed to end the fighting in 1953 only prove one thing: That bullying has become a hallmark of its foreign policy.



China, by refusing to accept and acknowledge its neighbor’s misadventures, is actually encouraging the Kim Jong-il regime to embark on such misguided activities that have the potential to destabilize the North East Asian region. If the Chinese leadership thinks that its interests are served by supporting the Kim regime to make Japan wary of its security and using North Korea as a trump card in dealing with the US, then it is clearly mistaken. In reality, Chinese interests are better served if it makes it clear to the North Koreans to change their ways and not emerge as a threat to any of its neighbors. China, as a responsible international actor and a major power, should deal with the US and Japan directly rather than put North Korea in the center in its dealing with them.



Due to historical and other factors, only China yields a significant influence in North Korea and as such it has the capacity to make the Kim regime become responsible. A responsible, peaceful North Korea is a must for China for its own long-term security. If North Korea is allowed to have its way, then soon other countries of the region will be thinking of nuclear option as well, and it will be quite unfortunate for China that is already surrounded by three nuclear powers—Russia, India and Pakistan. As one Chinese saying puts it aptly: The chances of yourself falling in a pit dug for others are very high. Therefore, the time has come for the Chinese leadership to act sensibly and join other countries in their bid to rein in North Korea.

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