China’s President Xi Jinping expressed his commitment to strengthening relations with North Korea in a recent message to leader Kim Jong Un. China, North Korea’s largest trading partner, aims to “write a new chapter” in their relationship through enhanced communication and cooperation.
Despite their historical ties, China was cautious in June when Kim fostered closer relations with Russia. This year, North Korea and Russia signed a strategic treaty, sparking concerns of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
In response, Kim pledged to Xi to further develop bilateral relations. However, North Korea’s plans to revise its constitution, abandoning peaceful unification with South Korea and potentially redefining the inter-Korean border, have raised alarms among experts. This move could lead to heightened tensions, especially if North Korea hints at pursuing unification by force, including the use of nuclear weapons.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely for any potential conflicts arising from North Korea’s updated stance on inter-Korean relations.
On a final note, Kim recently declared that North Korea would not hesitate to resort to offensive measures, including nuclear weapons, to protect its sovereignty.