Is China changing tack and accepting North Korea as a nuclear-armed state?

China’s omission of the term “denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula” from a new policy paper suggests its “tacit acceptance” of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, as Beijing gives priority to its strategic rivalry with Washington, according to analysts.

Late last month, China released a white paper on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, outlining its national defence and nuclear policies.

The document was an update of a 2005 white paper and contained a notable shift – within the paper’s overall “non-proliferation” clause, it did not refer to China’s traditional support for the peninsula’s denuclearisation.

“With regard to the Korean peninsula issue, China adopts an impartial stance and adheres to the right approach of always working for the peace, stability and prosperity of the peninsula and the resolution of the Korean peninsula issue through political means,” it said.

“China calls on relevant parties to desist from an approach based on aggressive deterrence and coercion, restart dialogue and negotiations, and play a constructive role in resolving the Korean peninsula issue through political means and realising lasting peace and stability on the peninsula.”

However, in its 2005 arms control and non-proliferation white paper, Beijing said “China supports denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula”.

Similarly, in 2017, another white paper on China’s policies on Asia-Pacific security cooperation said Beijing was “committed to the denuclearisation of the [Korean] peninsula, its peace and stability, and settlement of the issue through dialogue and consultation”.