The relationship between North and South Korea has been exceedingly fragile since the end of World War II. In June 1999, a nine-day naval battle between the two countries led to the sinking of a North Korean torpedo boat. The continued U.S. military presence in the south and China’s vast influence in the north had the potential to further complicate US-PRC relations.
This report examines the views of the PRC in regards to tensions on the Korean Peninsula. It also explores the relationship between the PRC and North Korea and its influence on the bilateral relations between the U.S. and the PRC.
“…said he agreed with the proposition that there was no significant difference between U.S. and PRC views on the need for peace and stability in Korea and that his issue did not constitute a problem in U.S.-PRC bilateral relations.” (p 2)
This report was released to the Nautilus Institute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).