China on Tuesday lodged a strong diplomatic protest against its long-term strategic ally and neighbour North Korea, after three Chinese were shot and killed by border troops on Friday morning.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang said on Tuesday that Beijing had lodged a formal diplomatic complaint with Pyongyang over the incident, in a rare public criticism of North Korea from its only international ally.
“On the morning of June 4, some residents of Dandong city of Liaoning province were shot by DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as the North is officially known] border guards on suspicion of crossing the border for trade activities, leaving three dead and one injured,” said Mr. Qin. “After the incident, China attached great importance to it and immediately raised solemn representations to the DPRK.”
The shooting, which also left one person injured, was first reported over the weekend by the North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity, a group of defectors based in Seoul, South Korea. The group said the three Chinese were traders who were trying to smuggle copper into China.
Chinese officials did not verify this claim, and said investigations into the incident were still progressing.
Recent months have seen some signs of discord between the long-term allies, with China coming under increasing international pressure to take action against the North over an attack on a South Korean warship and recent nuclear tests that flouted international laws.
Following the March 26 sinking of the Cheonan warship, which left 46 sailors dead, South Korea and the West have been calling for strong sanctions against the North.
China has been largely isolated in the international community for its measured response to the sinking. As yet, China has refrained from blaming the North over the attack, while Chinese officials privately say they remain sceptical over the results of a joint international investigation, led by the U.S. and South Korea, which blamed the North for the sinking. China has called for further investigations and a “calm” international response.
Relations between China and North Korea also came under strain last year, when China voiced its displeasure after the North conducted a nuclear test, violating United Nations sanctions. China said then it was “resolutely opposed” to the tests. The tests were reportedly conducted only 85 km from the North's border with China, and 150 km from the city of Dandong. Chinese officials claimed they had little prior warning over the tests, and some border towns had to move residents into shelters following the tremors caused by the test.
However, the two countries' historically-close strategic relationship and their mutual interests will mean overall relations will likely remain unaffected by the recent incidents. China views the North as a crucial strategic buffer in Northeast Asia against the United States and its allies, chiefly South Korea and Japan. The North, meanwhile, is heavily reliant on China for both financial support and food aid, amid rising food shortages and internal unrest.
