A series of North Korean military provocations, including an artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, long-range rocket launches in 2012, and a third nuclear test in 2013, have undermined the security environment around the Korean peninsula. Those provocations startled China’s leadership and put China in a tight spot diplomatically. China can’t abandon North Korea, however. China sees North Korea as a geopolitically vital buffer zone to avoid direct confrontation with the U.S. China prefers peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, keeping a military balance between South and North Korea, and avoiding any war that could involve China and the U.S. in a major military conflict. This article aims to understand China’s position toward and role in a series of North Korean military provocations.
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