China's Role in Korean Unification Vision and Northeast Asian Peace-Building

1. China's Role in Korean
Unification Vision and
Northeast Asian Peace-
building
Xiaohe Cheng PhD
Renmin University of China

2.  China had played an important role in the
unification and division of the Korean
Peninsula in ancient times.
 Neighbor
 Giant Neighbor
 Bonded by Tributary System

3.  Tributary System
 A hierarchical inter-state arrangement based on
China’s superiority in economic development,
political system and cultural richness.
 A device of interest tradeoff: states on China’s periphery
paid tributes to Chinese emperors on regular basis to
demonstrate their submission and allegiance, the
emperors reciprocated in kind with largesse, regime
recognition and security protection.

4.  Main Causes for China’s Intervention.
 Intervention occurred but quite rare;
 To eliminate a security threat from the
peninsula (660, Paeche, 668, Koguryo);
 To fulfill obligation stipulated by the tributary
system;
 To set up a buff zone on the peninsula between
China and hostile states.

5.  The roles China had played in ancient times.
 A Conqueror: direct control
 A unification facilitator : Silla
 A security protector.

6. The Evolution of the People’s Republic of
China (PRC)’ Role.
 Leaning to one side policy against the
background of the Cold War
 A security protector (lips and teeth).
 A diplomatic supporter.
 Pursuing equal distance diplomacy to the two
Koreas.
 A Lukewarm bystander.
 An active participant (FPT) and mediator (SPT).

7. Possible Role China May Play in the future
Korean unification
 Low expectation: Non-interventionist and non-
obstructionist.
 Reasons: (1) The Korean are the master of their
destination; (2) unpleasant historical memory;
(3) historical lessons (Germany, Vietnam and
Yemen); (4) Major powers intervention.

8.  Moderate expectation: A collective good
provider
 Building a new type of major countries’ relations
(Sino-US rivalry).
 Settling territorial disputes by peaceful means.
 Promoting denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
 Peace keeper (chaos on the Korean Peninsula).
 Stabilizing financial and trade markets.

9.  High expectation: an active intervener
 An explicit invitation from both Koreas.
 China’s major interest may be in jeopardy.
 Molding the unification process that best serve
China’s interest (Friendly, neutral and nuclear
free Korea).