OPINION | China is not a partner of the U. S. to counter the North Korea. Until it is, we must treat it accordingly.
China announced on Feb. 18 that it would stop all coal imports from North Korea. Analysts greeted the news with optimism, suggesting it improves prospects for a U. S.-North Korea nuclear deal or was an attempt by Beijing to curry favor with the Trump administration.
China, however, should not be applauded for doing what it has already promised the international community, and ultimately must do more to address the threat of North Korea’s nuclear program and missiles.
The cap restricted Pyongyang from exporting coal amounting to more than one million metric tons or worth $53.5 million for that month — whichever was lower. For its part, Beijing imported more than double the allowed amount and more than triple the value.
In November 2016 the U. N. also imposed a cap on North Korea’s coal exports for 2017 at 7.5 million tons or $400 million, whichever is lower. In February 2017 China reported to the U. N. that it had imported just over 19 percent of the allowable 2017 imports in January alone. China’s foreign ministry also stated this week that imports were approaching the value limit for 2017. Beijing far exceeded the December 2016 numbers, and the 2017 numbers will likely exceed the cap as well.
China’s accelerated imports of North Korean coal are suspicious, and Washington should question its motives.
Ultimately, Beijing’s moves must be viewed in the context of its aggressive policy toward South Korea, as it consistently forces Seoul to choose between defending itself against the threat from the north and access to the Chinese market.
During Defense Secretary James Mattis’ trip to Seoul this month, South Korea committed to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to counter North Korea’s missile program (China does not want the U. S. using the radar to provide early warning for Chinese missile strikes).
South Korea’s Lotte Group — a large retail firm — is involved in the THAAD deployment through the government’s plan to station the system on the firm’s land.
