The Real Bridge to Nowhere China’s Foiled North Korea Strategy C ARLA FREEMAN Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies DREW THOMPSON The Nixon Center April 22, 2009 www.usip.org UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE 1200 17th Street NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20036-3011 © 2009 by the United States Institute of Peace. The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Institute of Peace, which does not advocate specific policy positions. The views of the authors are entirely their own and do not reflect the opinions of their respective organizations. This is a working draft. Comments, questions, and permission to cite should be directed to the authors, Carla Freeman (
[email protected]) and Drew Thompson (
[email protected]). ABOUT THIS REPORT This report examines the complexities of Chinese-North Korean relations, taking into account the perspective of China’s border areas, a vital aspect of China’s relationship with the Korean peninsula that is often overlooked. China is sensitive about the unique issues associated with managing its land border regions, with their ethnic composition, particular development challenges and special vulnerability to the ups and downs of relations between it and its international neighbors. China’s border with North Korea has proven more challenging and costly to manage over time than local Chinese authorities and Beijing had hoped, due in large part to North Korea’s failure to meet the economic needs of its people. China’s goals of deepening cross-border economic transactions through a more open border are challenged by the increased threats to local security presented by a porous border with a fragile state.