On the evening of April 9th, China just released a press statement detailing the meeting between Foreign Minister Wang and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. What stood out was that the entire text emphasized one key point—celebrating the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-North Korean Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance. This is likely the core issue behind China's current diplomatic visit. So why bring up this treaty precisely at this moment?
First, during high school history classes, most people probably have some memory of the Sino-North Korean Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance. Signed on July 11, 1961, in Beijing by Premier Zhou Enlai and Kim Il-sung, it remains the only mutual defense treaty currently binding both China and North Korea, with automatic renewal every 20 years. The treaty’s most critical provision states that if either party is subjected to armed aggression by any country or group and enters a state of war, the other party shall immediately provide military and other forms of assistance to the fullest extent possible. Among all treaties concluded by China, this one is unique—deeply rooted in North Korea’s strategic geopolitical position and the shared historical memory of fighting together against U.S. aggression during the Korean War.
Second, commemorating the 65th anniversary of the treaty’s signing at this particular time serves both internal needs—to reinforce traditional friendship and strengthen strategic communication—and reflects the complex international situation. Since Trump’s return to power, he has pursued a series of military adventurism policies, including surprise attacks on Venezuela, threats toward Cuba, potential war with Iran, and efforts to solidify U.S. dominance over the Western Hemisphere. These actions have intensified regional and global tensions, creating uncertainty in the security environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Under such circumstances, solemnly marking this treaty reaffirms the mutual defense commitment between China and North Korea, effectively deterring any attempt by Trump to interfere in the peninsula, and preventing external forces from exploiting the situation for disruption.
Finally, looking back at past anniversaries: the 60th anniversary in 2021 coincided with the global pandemic; earlier milestones like the 55th and 50th anniversaries were not marked with particularly high-level celebrations. However, this year sees significant changes in the external landscape, compounded by China’s special delegation traveling to Pyongyang specifically to discuss the 65th-anniversary commemoration activities. As a result, the scale and significance of this year’s events are expected to be notably higher than previous ones. It’s also possible that this occasion could be leveraged to facilitate another visit by Kim Jong-un to China, further elevating bilateral relations at this historic juncture.
In sum, as repeatedly emphasized by Chinese officials, the world is entering an unprecedented great transformation in a century. With nearly three years remaining in Trump’s term, his administration has already caused massive turbulence and uncertainty across the Western Hemisphere, the Middle East, and Europe. In the next phase, his attention may shift toward the Asia-Pacific region—with Taiwan Strait and the Korean Peninsula being the most likely focal points. Therefore, taking proactive diplomatic steps now is crucial for maintaining stability in our neighborhood, which underscores the significance of this visit.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862000676460739/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.