China sending member of Politburo Standing Committee for North Korean commemorations

Since the beginning of time, China and Korea have always been neighbors. Korea was a part of China up until the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895, when China was forced to relinquish power to Japan. When the Chinese recognized the independence of Korea after the treaty, they didn't, however, disconnect completely from their over seas neighbors. Korea did not automatically, however, become independent. There was much bloodshed to free Korea from the grasps of Japanese Colonialism.

Following the second Sino-Japanese war and Japanese surrender in 1945, the Chinese yet again had Korea's back. As one of the signers on the Cairo Declaration, China once again came to Korea's defense. The Cairo Declaration declared Korea independent and free from Japanese Colonialism. The Chinese also provided support for Korea during the Korean War.

Being North Korea's largest economic support, China had grounds to express their feelings about the third nuclear test in early 2013. This seemingly friendly alliance became incredibly tainted.

China does not seem to know exactly what they want. In 2013 in talks with President Obama, there was a clear desire to denuclearize China. Yet not even 4 years prior regarding the human rights crisis China would not sell them out. Is it just plain old fear? Or is there truly a mutually beneficial relationship?

If there truly is a soured relationship, as exemplified by Kim Jung-un's refusal to visit Beijing, then there begs the question, why is China extending their hand and attending the 70th anniversary of an absolutely terrorizing regime? What ulterior motives lie below this visit (if any)?

As such an unsteady and unpredictable regime continues to commit unimaginable crimes, one has to question if and when it will fall. And how catastrophic will that fall be even if they have China on their side? Will China be the one to knock down the first domino? Only time will tell what will happen regarding the multiple-millennium-long relationship that is China and North Korea. And perhaps more importantly, what will happen to the terrorizing regime under the control of Kim-Jung-un. What do we, as average citizens, actually know about what is going on in the minds of China's governmental officials, or in Kim Jung-un's.








Ellen Kent

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/10/04/china-sending-senior-official-for-north-korean-anniversary