China, N. Korea, Russia solidify ties

China, Russia and North Korea have begun reaffirming once-close ties after a series of Western foreign policy decisions convinced them it is in their interests to renew cooperative military and economic relationships.

Last week, Gen. Fu Quanyou, China's chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), resurrected the traditional phrase "as close as lips and teeth" in describing relations between China and North Korea. That phrase hasn't been used by Chinese officials to describe Beijing's relationship with Pyongyang since the former opened diplomatic ties to South Korea in 1992.

Fu made his comments at the North Korean Embassy in Beijing on the 49th anniversary of China's participation in the Korean War.

Analysts at Stratfor.com believe Fu's comments were, in part, "an economic tactic aimed at increasing foreign investment in China without loosening economic controls." However, China believes the Western powers -- and in particular the United States -- are gaining too much influence in Asia, and is actively promoting a foreign policy aimed at curbing or eliminating that influence.

Fu's comments, analysts believe, were aimed at rebuilding the traditional friendship between the two countries. The move is especially ominous amid new reports that North Korea is advancing a build-up of short- and long-range missiles along its heavily militarized border with South Korea.

"The most threatening ongoing force development is the massive fielding of artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems in underground facilities near the demilitarized zone," said Gen. Thomas Schwartz, the Clinton administration's nominee to become the new head of U.S. forces in South Korea. Schwartz's comments were submitted last week to a congressional committee in the form of written answers.

"Over the past year, Pyongyang has accelerated ... a comprehensive force enhancement program that has already resulted in the deployment of over 10,000 artillery systems and more than 2,300 multiple rocket launcher systems in the forward area," he wrote. "These long-range artillery systems give North Korea the ability to provide devastating, indirect firepower in support of ground force operations, and to strike targets south of Seoul."

"Relations between China and North Korea have not returned to the warmth of the 1950s, nor are they likely to do so," said Stratfor.com analysts. "However, restoring relations gives China an important tool for dealing with the United States, Japan and South Korea."

Russia is also committed to reexamining its relationship with Pyongyang. On Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin described North Korea as "stable enough," and said Russia will inform the United States of developments regarding the peace treaty between Russia and North Korea when it "deems necessary."

Russian and North Korean diplomats, however, did sign a new "cooperation agreement" in Pyongyang, though no details outlining the areas of cooperation were given. According to a report in the Korea Times newspaper, the agreement "will replace an old friendship and cooperation treaty signed almost 40 years ago."

"This is an absolutely normal agreement that complies with international law, and is not directed against third countries," said Karasin.

Both Russia and China have been engaged in the sale of advanced military weapons systems to North Korea, as well as among themselves.

Related stories:

China's strategic threat to the U.S.

North Korea continues to arm

China gears U.S. enemies for battle

China renewing ties with N. Korea