China, Russia Oppose North Korea Isolation, Agree to Develop Tumen River Area Cooperation

Beijing and Moscow have once again signaled their united front against policies that isolate and pressure Pyongyang, underscoring a shared commitment to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. In a joint statement following their summit in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin explicitly opposed any attempts to threaten North Korea's security through diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions, or military pressure.

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We highly appreciate the close communication and coordination between the two countries on the Korean Peninsula issue.

This joint stance highlights a divergence from the approach favored by some Western nations. While the international community often focuses on denuclearization through sanctions, China and Russia emphasize a political and diplomatic resolution that respects all parties' concerns and sovereignty. They called for an end to actions that escalate regional tensions and urged practical measures to remove the risk of war, advocating for a balanced resolution through political and diplomatic means.

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The maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the advancement of the political settlement process of the issues in this region are in the common interests of all Northeast Asian countries and the international community.

Furthermore, the two powers pledged to continue their cooperation on the Tumen River Area Development Program (GTI). This multilateral initiative aims to develop the region around the lower Tumen River, involving South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia, China, and Russia in areas such as transportation, logistics, energy, and tourism. This continued engagement signals a commitment to regional economic cooperation, even amidst broader geopolitical complexities.

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We oppose the use of means such as diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions, and military pressure to threaten the security of the DPRK.

The joint statement, however, notably omitted any explicit mention of North Korea's denuclearization. This absence, coupled with China's reiteration of its consistent policy towards the peninsula and the ongoing speculation about a potential visit by Xi Jinping to Pyongyang, suggests a strategic approach that prioritizes stability and dialogue over punitive measures. From our perspective, this reflects a nuanced understanding of regional dynamics, prioritizing a peaceful resolution that considers the security concerns of all involved parties.

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The two sides call on the relevant countries to stop actions that escalate regional tensions, fuel the arms race, and exploit politicized approaches, and to take practical measures to eliminate the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula.