Introduction

For years the United States and South Korea have urged the People’s Republic of China, as a treaty ally of North Korea and by far the biggest trading partner of Pyongyang, to play a more proactive role in urging reconciliation between the two Koreas. Beijing has repeatedly stated its opposition to a nuclear North Korea, urged more dialogue among the concerned parties, and at times backed penalties against Pyongyang for its proliferation, but also often declined to condemn specific North Korean behaviors Seoul and Washington object to and not signed on to sanctions it considers potentially destabilizing.

To gain a clearer insight into the PRC perspective on North Korea, Korean unification, and practical measures that may be implemented to foster unification, Pacific Forum surveyed 18 Chinese experts—based inside and out of China—on the Korean Peninsula and the PRC’s foreign policy priorities. The project, sponsored by the UniKorea Foundation in Seoul, revealed more of Chinese experts’ views of peninsular dynamics, the parties with the greatest fault/responsibility for the ongoing standoff, and whether specific potential actions would worsen or lessen tension on the peninsula.

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

METHODOLOGY

LITERATURE REVIEW

FINDINGS

• THE SURVEY
• FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

About the Author

ROB YORK is Director for Regional Affairs at Pacific Forum. He is responsible for editing Pacific Forum publications, including the weekly PacNet series, the triannual Comparative Connections e-journal, and the indepth Issues & Insights series. He also oversees Pacific Forum fellowships and internship programs, as well as on
counter-disinformation and media training. Prior to joining Pacific Forum, Rob worked as a production editor at The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. In 2023 he earned his Ph.D. in Korean history at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he previously received his master’s degree in Asian studies. Rob regularly contributes commentary on inter-Korean and Indo-Pacific affairs to NK News, The South China Morning Post, The American Conservative, China Review International, and The Journal of American-East Asian Relations, as well as conducting numerous interviews in various media outlets.

XIAOYI (YEE) ZE is a 2024-25 Nonresident Lloyd and Lilian Vasey Fellow at Pacific Forum. Her research interests include international relations, East Asian culture and history, Chinese diaspora, and international development. She holds a PhD in Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia and a MA from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her PhD dissertation centers on East Asia international relations in the late nineteenth century, with the aim of leading to a better understanding of the dynamics of imperialism, diaspora, and the concept of international law. Xiaoyi also has diverse work experience in international organizations, including the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Global Green Growth Institute, the United Nations Volunteer Programme, the East-West Center, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.