CaliToday (07/12/2025/2025): In a move that signals a tectonic shift in Northeast Asian security dynamics, China has released its first major military political work guidelines in 19 years, notably excising the long-standing commitment to "support the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
This deliberate omission marks the end of an era. For decades, Beijing has officially maintained that a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula was essential for regional stability. The sudden removal of this phrase suggests that China may now be tacitly accepting North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state.
1. From "Denuclearization" to "Political Solution"
The new military "White Paper" a critical document outlining the political and ideological direction of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has replaced the specific call for nuclear disarmament with vague language advocating for a "political solution" to the peninsula's issues.
Why this matters:
The Old Standard: Previously, Beijing viewed Pyongyang's nuclear program as a destabilizing factor that invited increased U.S. military presence in the region.
The New Reality: By dropping the demand for denuclearization, analysts argue that Beijing no longer views North Korea's nuclear arsenal as a "variable" to be solved, but rather as a fixed reality and potentially a strategic asset against the United States.
2. A Strategic Counter to the US-Japan-ROK Alliance
International experts believe this policy pivot is a direct response to the tightening trilateral security cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
As Washington strengthens its "nuclear umbrella" over Seoul and Tokyo, China appears to be recalculating the value of North Korea. Instead of pressuring Kim Jong-un to disarm, Beijing seems intent on fortifying its alliance with Pyongyang to create a unified front against perceived American encirclement.
"China is prioritizing its strategic competition with the U.S. over the global non-proliferation regime. A nuclear North Korea is now seen as a necessary buffer rather than a liability." Regional Security Analyst
3. The Writing Was on the Wall: The September Summit
The change in the written doctrine follows a visible warming of ties between the two communist neighbors.
In September, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited Beijing to attend a military parade and held high-level talks with President Xi Jinping. Notably, the joint statements following that meeting completely omitted any reference to "denuclearization" a silence that, in hindsight, foreshadowed this doctrinal change.
4. A New Era of Risk in East Asia
The erasure of the "denuclearization" clause is expected to have profound ripples across the Pacific:
Emboldened Pyongyang: With its primary economic patron no longer demanding disarmament, North Korea may feel emboldened to accelerate its missile and warhead testing.
Dilemma for Seoul and Tokyo: South Korea and Japan may feel compelled to seek stronger offensive capabilities or even debate their own nuclear options, fearing that international pressure on North Korea has effectively collapsed.
As the geopolitical landscape fractures, the "White Paper" confirms what many feared: The consensus on disarming North Korea is dead, and East Asia is entering a volatile new chapter of unchecked militarization.
Source: JoongAng Ilbo (Chuonippo Japanese)
CaliToday.Net