In a recent statement, Kurt Campbell, the US Deputy Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific Affairs, revealed that China is increasingly uneasy about the growing relationship between Russia and North Korea.
According to Campbell, Beijing finds the expanding cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow “unnerving” and is concerned about its potential implications for regional security and geopolitics.
This claim comes at a time when both Russia and North Korea have been deepening their ties, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Korean Peninsula.
The shift towards closer relations between Russia and North Korea is being driven by several factors, chief among them being mutual strategic interests.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has sought new allies to counter the international sanctions imposed by Western countries.
North Korea, on the other hand, is looking for partners to bolster its military capabilities and strengthen its position against the United States and its allies in the region.
This budding alliance has been particularly noticeable in the military domain.
In recent months, reports have surfaced that North Korea is reportedly sending troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
While the exact number of North Korean soldiers remains unclear, it is widely believed that their participation in the conflict could be significant.
This development has raised alarms in Washington and its allies, particularly in Japan and South Korea, who view any deepening military collaboration between Russia and North Korea as a direct threat to regional stability.
Additionally, there have been increasing reports of North Korea supplying artillery shells and other munitions to Russia, which is struggling to meet the demands of its ongoing war in Ukraine.
These supplies are essential for Russia’s military campaign, which has faced significant losses and depletion of resources.
North Korea’s provision of weapons and other military aid serves as a lifeline for Russia, which is increasingly isolated on the global stage.
Kurt Campbell’s comments suggest that China is closely monitoring this growing alliance with a mix of concern and unease.
While China and Russia have long had a strategic partnership, the growing proximity between Russia and North Korea is complicating Beijing’s position.
Campbell’s remarks suggest that China may be worried that this relationship could lead to actions by North Korea that might not align with Chinese interests, particularly in relation to the stability of the Korean Peninsula.
China has historically been North Korea’s main ally and economic partner, providing it with crucial resources such as food, energy, and technology.
However, Beijing has also been wary of North Korea’s more provocative actions, especially when they escalate tensions with the United States and its allies.
The growing ties between Russia and North Korea complicate China’s delicate balancing act of maintaining its influence over Pyongyang while simultaneously managing its relationship with the West and ensuring regional stability.
One of China’s primary concerns is that closer military cooperation between Russia and North Korea could lead to increased tensions in East Asia.
This would complicate China’s own efforts to assert its dominance in the region, particularly as it continues to press its territorial claims in the South China Sea and asserts control over Taiwan.
A destabilised Korean Peninsula, with heightened military activity from both North Korea and Russia, could potentially draw the United States and its regional allies—South Korea and Japan—into a broader conflict, which would further complicate China’s geopolitical ambitions.
Another source of concern for China is the potential for this growing alliance to embolden North Korea to take more aggressive actions against South Korea or even the United States.
North Korea has long sought to develop its nuclear weapons programme, and the collaboration with Russia could provide the Kim regime with additional resources, knowledge, and support to accelerate this agenda.
Such developments would be seen by Beijing as a threat to regional stability, which is a key priority for China.
Campbell’s comments also shed light on the differing approaches taken by the United States and China in addressing the Russia-North Korea alliance.
The US has consistently voiced its concerns over the deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.
In particular, the Joe Biden administration has worked with its allies, including Japan and South Korea, to ensure that the growing military and economic collaboration between Russia and North Korea does not go unchecked.
The US has imposed sanctions on North Korea for its involvement in the Ukraine conflict and has called for greater international scrutiny of the military assistance being provided to Russia.
On the other hand, China has largely remained silent on the matter.
Beijing has not directly criticized the collaboration between Russia and North Korea, despite its growing discomfort.
This silence speaks to China’s strategic interests in both maintaining a stable relationship with Russia and preserving its influence over North Korea.
While China may be concerned about the implications of closer Russia-North Korea ties, it also recognises that Russia is an important partner in countering US influence in the region, especially as both countries push back against the Western-led international order.
China’s approach to the situation reflects its broader strategy of balancing competing interests—seeking to maintain its partnership with Russia while simultaneously managing tensions with the West.
However, as the Russia-North Korea relationship deepens, China may eventually find itself forced to take a more active role in addressing the growing alliance.
The growing ties between Russia and North Korea are likely to have significant implications for regional security, particularly in East Asia.
The United States, South Korea, and Japan are deeply concerned about the potential for an arms race in the region, with North Korea receiving increased military support from Russia.
The United States has already been working with its allies to reinforce deterrence in the region, including strengthening military deployments and conducting joint exercises.
The involvement of China in this dynamic will be crucial.
While Beijing has not yet taken direct action to counter the Russia-North Korea alliance, it will need to carefully consider its next steps.
China’s primary goal is to maintain stability in the region, but the growing involvement of North Korea in Russia’s military operations could push Beijing to reconsider its position.
If the situation continues to escalate, it could lead to a realignment of alliances in the region.
China may find itself drawn closer to the United States and its allies, or it could lean further into its partnership with Russia.
Either way, the situation is fluid, and the potential for increased tensions is high.
Kurt Campbell’s statement underscores the growing concern within China over the deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea.
As this alliance expands, Beijing is likely to be increasingly uneasy about the potential risks it poses to regional stability and its own geopolitical interests.
While China has yet to take direct action, its strategic calculations will need to adapt to the changing dynamics of the Russia-North Korea partnership.
For the United States and its allies, this situation presents a unique challenge—balancing pressure on Russia and North Korea while managing China’s growing influence in the region. The next few years will likely see continued geopolitical shifts, with China’s role in this evolving relationship remaining a key factor to watch.