‘As close as lips and teeth’: The highs and lows of China-North Korea ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday to the full theatre of North Korean state ceremony, with flags, flowers, military honours and crowds to welcome the leader of the country t…
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday to the full theatre of North Korean state ceremony, with flags, flowers, military honours
Read Full Story at Al Jazeera →Why This Matters
Xi Jinping’s state visit to Pyongyang underscores China’s strategic calculus in Northeast Asia, where Beijing balances its economic leverage with North Korea against the risks of escalating regional tensions. The timing—amid stalled denuclearization talks and shifting U.S.-China dynamics—signals Beijing’s intent to reassert its role as Pyongyang’s primary patron, even as it navigates pressure from Washington to constrain its ally.
Background Context
The “lips and teeth” metaphor—once a cornerstone of Sino-North Korean propaganda—reflects a relationship forged in war and sustained by mutual dependency, despite periodic strains. While China accounts for nearly 90% of North Korea’s trade, the alliance has weathered ideological rifts, sanctions evasion, and Kim Jong Un’s consolidation of power, revealing a partnership rooted in pragmatism rather than ideology.
What Happens Next
Expect symbolic gestures to dominate the visit, from joint statements reaffirming solidarity to economic pledges that may never materialize. The real test will be whether Xi brokers any breakthrough on denuclearization—or if the trip serves as a reminder that Beijing’s influence over Pyongyang remains limited, despite decades of investment.
Bigger Picture
This high-profile summit highlights the erosion of U.S. leverage in the region, where China’s economic clout and North Korea’s nuclear deterrent increasingly dictate the terms of engagement. As Washington pivots to Indo-Pacific containment strategies, Beijing’s waltz with Pyongyang demonstrates how traditional alliances are being recalibrated in an era of great-power competition.
