[Personal Analysis] China's attitude towards reunification

Source: https://www.google.co.kr/search?q=china+north+korea&rlz=1C1HLDY_enSG693SG693&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiL1OSG5oTNAhWEI5QKHVBWBzIQ_AUIBygB&biw=1366&bih=599#imgrc=8_JjSzbUwm9lAM%3A

As for the stand of China, their support for reunification is uncertain.

There are interpretations that China will support the unification of Korea as they may refer to have a free, united, democratic, economically dynamic and military capable Korea.  However with the US troops stationed at the Korea, the china’s position is evolving.

The relationship between China and North Korea had changed over times. Relationship between the two countries used to be extremely close, but in recent years, China’s media had been frequently carries out commentary critical of the North Korea and the Chinese are increasingly being allowed to talk about the negative aspect of North Korea. From the North Korea’s side, there is unwillingness in accepting the advice of China to adopt a Chinese-style economic and structural reform. This also caused China to be quit unpleased as their North Korea policy had been about the possibility to gradually transform the North Korea economy nature.

Some incidents that unnerved china will be the attack conducted by North Korea towards South Korea’s YeonPyeong Island in November 2010 and the execution of Jang Song Thaek, one of the few senior North Korean official who have close tie with China.

Moreover, there were interpretations that the Chinese officials were sick and tired of North Korea. Sources had state that majority of the Chinese viewed reunification as something that will happen and that it will better that it is under the control of Seoul.

Still, despites these unpleasant incidents and the transformation of relationship between China and North Korea, China’s bottom line on the Korean Peninsula is to focus on maintain an stability and to avoid conflict near its northeast border at all cost

Reason that china may oppose in the reunification will probably be the increase risk of violence, refugee flows or the escalation of tension near its border with North Korea. Moreover, it is almost certain that China will reject any approach by the United Stated and South Korea should they not take China’s security concerns into account. China is also suspicious about creating a united, democratic, economically dynamic and military capable Korea on its border, especially if Korea will remain as an ally of the United Stated after reunification, with the significant presence of Us Military in Korea. 

Hence regarding this, one of the major tasks is to convince China that the reunification of Korea will be in China’s interest. Such as shaping China’s’ understanding of how  a post-unification Korea Peninsula will be like and convince China that the absorption of North Korea regime into the Republic of Korea will be more of China’s interest than the current situation in Korea Peninsula.