[Editorial] China's silence on North Korea's nuclear program is a dangerous friendship

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a two-day visit to North Korea, where he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un emphasized a "new historical starting point" for their bilateral relationship. The leaders reportedly achieved "satisfied consensus" on issues of mutual sovereignty and security, with Chinese state media reporting Xi's expressed intention to strengthen exchanges in the military sector.

However, a striking omission from the summit's official announcements was any mention of denuclearization or the Korean Peninsula. This marks a significant departure from previous joint statements. For instance, a Chinese announcement nine months prior included Xi's willingness to work for peace and stability on the peninsula, which North Korea's state media then praised. This time, the absence of such language, particularly after North Korea's recent displays of new nuclear facilities and Kim Jong Un's declaration of North Korea as a "nuclear power state," suggests a reluctance from Xi to publicly address uncomfortable topics with his "destined-to-be-friendly neighbor."

The disappearance of terms like "Korean Peninsula" or "peninsula issue" from the joint statements is also noteworthy. This shift appears to align with North Korea's recent policy of defining South Korea as an "adversarial nation." While China's foreign ministry stated its policy remains consistent, indicating it has not abandoned the principle of denuclearization, its silence on the matter is raising international concerns.

In the context of escalating US-China and China-Japan tensions, analysts interpret China's approach as a complex calculation. Beijing may be leveraging North Korea as a card against the US and Japan while simultaneously considering a future role as a mediator in potential US-North Korea negotiations. However, China's continued silence on North Korea's nuclear program risks encouraging miscalculations by Pyongyang and fueling broader international unease. The editorial urges China to act as a "responsible major power" that persuades North Korea toward dialogue, rather than becoming a "dangerous protector" drawn into the orbit of a rogue state.