China and North Korea: A History of Border Disputes
North Korea's Isolationist Policies
In January 2020, North Korea closed its border with China in an effort to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. By August 2020, the regime had established a 12-kilometer buffer zone in front of the border where official permits were required to enter. Trespassers would be fired at without warning.
This closure has had a significant impact on trade between the two countries. In 2019, China was North Korea's largest trading partner, accounting for about 90% of its total trade. The closure of the border has led to a sharp decline in trade, with some estimates suggesting that it has fallen by as much as 90%.
Border Disputes and Treaties
The border between China and North Korea has been a source of contention for centuries. The two countries signed a border treaty in 1962 to resolve their un-demarcated land border, but there have been ongoing disputes over the interpretation of the treaty.
In 1962, China and North Korea signed a border treaty that established the current border between the two countries. However, there are still some areas that are disputed, and there have been occasional clashes between the two sides.
Recent Developments
In recent years, there have been some signs of improvement in relations between China and North Korea. In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang, and the two sides agreed to work towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
However, tensions remain high, and there is no guarantee that the current rapprochement will continue. The border between China and North Korea is still a potential flashpoint, and any incident could lead to a major conflict.
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