Debating "lips and teeth": Talking North Korea sanctions in China



Analysis Debating “lips and teeth”: Talking North Korea sanctions in China Both Washington policy and Beijing propaganda assume there is a unitary Chinese position on the DPRK Adam Cathcart August 21, 2017 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Wikimedia commons In approaching the issue of Chinese support of sanctions on North Korea, benefits can be drawn from decentering the analysis from North Korea itself. We need to look more closely at the various Chinese constituencies whose participation - or passivity - is needed in order for sanctions to fulfill their intended function. China is too frequently seen as a unitary actor when it comes to North Korea, which muddies our understanding of how sanctions might or might not be applied. In approaching the issue of Chinese support of sanctions on North Korea, benefits can be drawn from decentering the analysis from North Korea itself. We need to look more closely at the various Chinese constituencies whose participation - or passivity - is needed in order for sanctions to fulfill their intended function. China is too frequently seen as a unitary actor when it comes to North Korea, which muddies our understanding of how sanctions might or might not be applied. Become a member for less than $4 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Debating “lips and teeth”: Talking North Korea sanctions in China

Both Washington policy and Beijing propaganda assume there is a unitary Chinese position on the DPRK

Adam Cathcart August 21, 2017

Debating “lips and teeth”: Talking North Korea sanctions in China

Wikimedia commons

In approaching the issue of Chinese support of sanctions on North Korea, benefits can be drawn from decentering the analysis from North Korea itself. We need to look more closely at the various Chinese constituencies whose participation - or passivity - is needed in order for sanctions to fulfill their intended function.

China is too frequently seen as a unitary actor when it comes to North Korea, which muddies our understanding of how sanctions might or might not be applied.