Posted on 05/25/2006 7:39:04 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
/begin my translation
Sino-N. Korean 6 Month Visa Exemption Scrapped after 57 Years
N. Korea demanded it first ... China responded in kind
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The scene in front of N. Korean Koryo Air at Beijing Airport on May 11. N. Koreans, who purchased goods in China and were going back to N. Korea, are waiting for boarding process. Beijing = Kim Choon-sik |
It is confirmed that N. Korea and China stopped 'short-term visa exemption' measure, which they have applied to people from the other part since they established diplomatic relation in 1949. Up to now, Visitors from the one country could enter the other with no-visa and stay up to six months. As a result, the relationship between two countries, which have been close economically and socially, may cool off, according to some observers.
It is N. Korea which made the first move. N. Korea demanded that Chinese, who have been freely traveling N. Korea using official-business passport, get their visa first. Asked about its background, sources in Beijing said, "It is my understanding that there are too many Chinese in Pyongyang and major cities (for N. Koreans) to effectively control. It may also reflect their desire to curb Chinese expansion to N. Korea." The N. Korean decision was reciprocated by China in kind on Apr. 18. The scrapping of preferential visa measure dealt a big blow to merchants doing cross-border trade between two countries, according to reports.
According to experts, the measure will dampen business investment to N. Korea, and purchase of N. Korean mineral, and fishery resources, which Chinese local governments have been aggressively pursuing. Prompted by the sudden surge of Chinese travelers to N. Korea, China opened three weekly flights between Beijing and Pyongyang since early this year. Chinese, working for state corporations, but doing business on individual basis, now have to go through tighter screening.
On the N. Korea side, suitcase merchants who brings Chinese necessities like cookies and clothing are hit hard. Chinese authorities are enforcing strict regulation that no stay would be allowed if N. Koreans do not officially submit work-permit. Beijing = Ryu Kwang-jong
/end my translation
More importantly, Kim Jong-il does not want hordes of Chinese roaming around N. Korean country side, cutting deals and making connections. This will create a sizable group of N. Koreans who could throw their lot with Chinese, and potentially turn against him. Especially, not all of them are technicians and businessmen. There would be many Chinese intels mixed with them. Kim won't certainly want so many Chinese covert ops operating inside N. Korea. He knows too well that Chinese can turn around and stab him in a blink if it suits them.
Ping!
Ping!
ping
To me, it is not a bad sign. This also shows that Kim still refuse to commit himself to full-fledged economic reform in Chinese style. That will piss off China again, testing its patience once again.
This will increase the chance that China will give it up eventually. At the same time, China would be unable to set up enough political infrastructure in N. Korea to set up pro-China regime.
The Chinese and a good many NKs as well. What does it profit a man to master a whole nation, but hide where he sleeps every night?
You know, on a lighter note I have always thought that if it were possible to convince the famed map makers Rand McNally to RE-label all of their global maps to indicate that North Korea is actually Taiwan, and vice versa, that we could just tell Beijing that they could do whatever they wish to Taiwan, and WE would officially recognize North Korea and establish full diplomatic relations with THEM.
If it were only so simple.
LOL!
If NK isnt as ProChina as they want, They can always roll in the tanks 1989 style, Its not like NK can actually Defend itself against Beijing.
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