{"id":4269,"date":"2019-07-09T19:01:00","date_gmt":"2019-07-09T10:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.01.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=4269"},"modified":"2019-09-19T12:56:25","modified_gmt":"2019-09-19T03:56:25","slug":"the-enemy-of-a-thousand-years-anti-chinese-public-sentiment-constrains-cross-border-cooperation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2019\/07\/society-economy\/the-enemy-of-a-thousand-years-anti-chinese-public-sentiment-constrains-cross-border-cooperation\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThe Enemy of a Thousand Years\u201d: Anti-Chinese Public Sentiment Constrains Cross-border Cooperation"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

President Xi Jinping welcoming Kim Jong-un during his visit to Beijing. As broadcast in January 2019 by Chinese Central Television<\/p><\/div>\n

North Korea's feelings toward China are complicated.<\/p>\n

Politically speaking, China is an ally belonging to the same socialist camp and is well-remembered for fighting alongside the North in the Korean War. On the other hand, China has reformed so much, turning away from socialism as it has opened to the world.<\/p>\n

For forging diplomatic ties with South Korea in 1992, China has not been forgiven either. Finally, North Koreans fervently oppose China for the strong pressure it exerts on the country from time to time.<\/p>\n

Economically speaking, China has proved to be a massive benefactor. North Koreans can not help but be grateful for a country responsible for so much of its foreign currency earnings and 90% of its trade.<\/p>\n

At the same time though, North Korea\u2019s economic exchanges with an ever-evolving China have allowed for an unprecedented amount of outside information and capitalist culture to penetrate North Korea over the last 20 years. On top of this, China has pressured the country, both directly and indirectly, to similarly make reforms and open. Lastly, with a shared border of about 1,400 kilometers, China is also a major security concern for North Korea.<\/p>\n

\u25c6 Worsening Anti-Chinese sentiment in the Kim Jong-un era<\/h2>\n

May 2011 was to be the last time Kim Jong-il visited China. He would die suddenly just 7 months later and, thereafter, North Korea entered the Kim Jong-un era.<\/p>\n

Kim Jong-un, young and inexperienced, had no track record as a leader in the eyes of his people. He purged Jang Song-taek and other influential figures who failed to demonstrate absolute obedience and loyalty, establishing himself at the center of a monolithic leadership system. On foreign policy, Kim prioritized the development of nuclear weapons and missiles as a strategy for his regime\u2019s survival.<\/p>\n

The Kim Jong-un regime largely relied on expanding trade with China as a driving force for economic growth. Despite this, the regime went ahead with nuclear tests in 2013, 2016, and 2017, ignoring strong protests from the Chinese government. During these times, harsh rhetoric targeting China was used frequently by citizens at ideological study sessions, such as \u201cIf Japan is the enemy of the last 100 years, then China is the enemy of the last 1,000 years\u201d and \u201cWe should not have any illusions about China\u201d.<\/p>\n

These days, anti-Chinese sentiment has spread across North Korean society, with even relations among ordinary citizens of the two countries worsening.<\/p>\n

Ordinary North Korean citizens are outspoken in their criticism of the Chinese, calling them \u201cthugs\u201d and saying such things as \u201cThose jerks think only of themselves,\u201d or \u201cOnly the poor Chinese traders and tourists come to North Korea,\u201d or \u201cWe just have to deal with them because our country is poor\u201d, etc.
\nNext page : \u25c6 Protesting against China, the main culprit\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u25c6 Protesting against China, the main culprit behind economic sanctions<\/h2>\n

Since Kim Jong-un visited China for the first time in March, 2018, however, the North Korean authorities have refrained from criticizing China. In addition, orders were made by the People\u2019s Committee to \u201ccorrect bad attitudes toward China\u201d and to \u201cnot treat visitors from China badly.\u201d These efforts may prove difficult, however, as the regime tries to reverse the anti-Chinese sentiment that it had, itself, previously engineered.<\/p>\n

Currently, North Koreans are suffering across the country from the impact of economic sanctions brought forth by the international community. Though led by the United States and dictated by the U.N. Security Council, it is China, previously responsible for 90% of North Korea\u2019s trade, that has been largely responsible for the sanctions\u2019 implementation.<\/p>\n

Kim Jong-un visited China 4 times between March of last year and this January. Despite this, there has been no indication that economic sanctions will be eased. Rather, pressure by China has been growing since the beginning of the year, as the state focuses on strengthening customs inspections and cracking down on smuggling at the border.<\/p>\n

North Korean officials and ordinary citizens alike are well aware of the direct cause of their worsened livelihoods and the economic recession, blaming China\u2019s decision to halt imports from the North.<\/p>\n

Upon hearing of President Xi\u2019s decision to visit North Korea, ASIAPRESS asked several of its contacts in the North about their feelings toward China.<\/p>\n

One reporting partner replied, \u201cRather than the pressure placed on us by the United States, there is more opposition to China\u2019s tactful decision to continue implementing sanctions. Most people think that China looks down on us even though we are their ally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Xi Jinping\u2019s visit to North Korea is not likely to ease sanctions any time soon. Even if China decides to provide aid, it cannot supply anything beyond the constraints of the sanctions. As things stand, only supplies of food, medicine, and electricity are possible.<\/p>\n

Still, most North Koreans welcome Xi Jinping\u2019s visit to the North and anticipate some results from it. If the visit does not lead to any improvements in the economy, however, the people will be left with a strong sense of disappointment, which will ultimately be directed at Kim Jong-un. (ISHIMARU Jiro)<\/p>\n

\n
\uff1cRelated Article\uff1e<\/div>\n