Wilson Center Digital Archive

China-North Korea Relations

This collection of documents probes the relationship between China and North Korea from the 1940s through the 1980s. While often described as being "as close as lips to teeth," this collection highlights instances of both cooperation and mistrust between China and North Korea. See also the Digital Archive collection on Repatriation to North Korea.

May 22, 1980

The Issue of the North Korean Invasion of the South

Japan and China discuss the possibility of a North Korean invasion of South Korea.
October 16, 1980

Telegram from the Hungarian Embassy in Beijing, 'China on the KWP’s 6th Congress'

A report on the Chinese attitude towards the Korean Workers' Party 6th Congress.
November 11, 1980

Telegram from the Hungarian Embassy in Beijing, 'The Chinese attitude towards the Korean Workers’ Party’s 6th Congress'

The Chinese attitude towards the Korean Workers’ Party’s 6th Congress on their support to Kim Il Sung and for the reunification plan
March 24, 1984

Cable from Ambassador Katori to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister Visit to China (Summit Meeting – Korean Peninsula Affairs)'

Nakasone and Zhao Ziyang discuss economic exchanges between South Korea and China, trilateral talks between the two Koreas and the US, and visits between divided Korean families.
March 25, 1984

Cable from Ambassador Katori to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister Visit to China (Foreign Ministers’ Discussion – The State of the Korean Peninsula)'

Abe Shintaro and Wu Xueqian review developments in Korea in light of North Korea's attempted assassination of Chun Doo-hwan during the Rangoon bombing.
March 26, 1984

Cable from Ambassador Katori to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minster Visit to China (Foreign Ministers’ Discussion – The State of the Korean Peninsula)'

A more detailed overview of Wu Xueqian and Abe Shintaro's exchanges on the Korean Peninsula in the aftermath of the Rangoon Bombing.
March 27, 1984

Cable from Ambassador Katori to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister Visit to China (Conversation with General Secretary Hu Yaobang)'

An addendum to the conversation notes between Hu Yaobang and Nakasone Yasuhiro.
May 31, 1984

Memorandum of Conversation between Erich Honecker and Kim Il Sung

Summary of the conversation between Erich Honecker and Kim Il Sung on 31 May 1984. This is a continuation of the talks suspended on 30 May due to time constraints. Discussion of internal and foreign affairs of East Germany and North Korea, especially concerning relations with China and the Soviet Union.
June 07, 1984

Information About the State Visit of the General Secretary of the WPK CC and President of the DPRK, Kim Il Sung, to the GDR

A comprehensive overview of North Korean-East German ties as well as North Korea's overall foreign relations in light of a visit to the GDR made by Kim Il Sung.
November 08, 1986

The Secret Parts of General Secretary Hu’s Statements

General Secretary Hu discusses China's influence in the Korean Peninsula, the upcoming 13th Congress, better relations with Japan, and the Japanese Prime Minister's interest in allowing Chinese-Japanese flights over of the Korean Peninsula.
November 09, 1986

Cable No. 3753, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with General Secretary Hu - Korean Peninsula)'

Hu and Nakasone discuss the state of relations between North and South Korea, and prospects for enhanced ties between the ROK and China.
November 09, 1986

Cable No. 3754, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with General Secretary Hu - Korean Peninsula)'

Hu and Nakasone discuss the possibility of expanding ties between the ROK and the PRC, and North Korea's likely reactions.
November 20, 1986

Record of Conversation between Comrade J. Batmunkh and Kim Il Sung

Kim Il Sung and Jambyn Batmunkh discuss North Korea and Mongolia's relationships with China and the Soviet Union, among other issues.
March 25, 1988

Untitled report from Mieczysław Dedo, Polish Ambassador to the DPRK, following his conversation with the Chinese ambassador in North Korea

Comrade Dedo, Poland's ambassador in North Korea, reports that Sino-DPRK relations are cooling because of Beijing's increasing trade with South Korea.
February 26, 1989

Memorandum of Conversation between George H.W. Bush and Zhao Ziyang

George H.W. Bush and Zhao Ziyang discuss Sino-American relations and China's reform and opening, in addition to the situations in Korea, India, Pakistan, and the Soviet Union.
June 09, 1989

Untitled report from Mieczysław Dedo, Polish Ambassador to the DPRK, concerning North Korea’s attitude towards Tiananmen Square protests

According to Polish reports from Pyongyang, the North Korean leadership interpreteted the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing in relation to lack of monolitic unity among the Chinese leadership and China's reform policies.