Publication

This report examines relations between China and North Korea, and particularly the sensitive issue of China’s border areas. The authors argue that 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. Furthermore, 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.