Television monitors displayed at the Yongsan electronic market in Seoul Friday show Jang Song-thaek’s last appearance at the tribunal before his execution. Photo: AFP

 
The foreign media has been speculating about the impact of the execution of Jang Song-thaek on China-North Korea economic cooperation. The issue has also been raised on China's Internet. The question comes as Jang used to have a close relationship with China and was in charge of bilateral economic cooperation. Meanwhile, North Korea accused Jang of asking his cronies to sell off the country's resources and selling land in the Rason Special Economic Zone at cheap prices, which could easily make people think this accusation also implicates China.

Jang's execution is a result of Pyongyang's domestic politics, yet the Chinese public feels bad about it. Some worry Pyongyang will scrap its contract with China over the 50-year pier lease in the port of Rajin; others are concerned that further moves by leader Kim Jong-un will be even unpredictable.

Many Chinese scholars of North Korean studies believe things will not become that bad. Economic relations between Beijing and Pyongyang are determined by their political ties, which will not be easily changed due to the execution of Jang.

This Northeast Asian country has no strategic maneuvering room as it confronts South Korea, the US and Japan. Its dependence on China is irreplaceable. As long as China does not interfere with the North's internal affairs or make it feel threatened, the North is unlikely to take the initiative to worsen ties with China or give up economic cooperation with China.

Such analysis sounds reasonable. At the moment, Pyongyang might have been engaged in dealing with Jang's affairs and have no time to take bilateral ties into consideration. Even though it has made the Chinese public feel awkward, this may not be Pyongyang's intention.

North Korea is facing political uncertainties. There is little likelihood that it shows a tough stance toward China now. Although Kim Jong-un has irritated the world several times since he took power, he has a clear mind when it comes to consolidating his regime. But it has become a fact that some negative impact has been cast on Sino-North Korean ties. If Pyongyang doesn't want such impact to spread to the Chinese public or the wider world, it should respond to the outside's questions.

China's foreign ministry has said China will continue to promote healthy and stable bilateral ties, but we haven't heard anything about Pyongyang's stance. When it concerns China's national interests, China should not take too courteous an attitude when dealing with North Korea. Chinese society will not accept the inconsistency of North Korea in its words or deeds.

We are more prone to believe Pyongyang is keeping a clear mind in maintaining the friendship with China and in acknowledging the importance of abiding by the economic pattern set during the era of former leader Kim Jong-il. China takes the initiative in economic relations with North Korea, while it needs to strike a balance between keeping its own principles and respecting North Korea.

Sino-North Korean ties should remain stable as the strategic pattern in Northeast Asia and interests of the two haven't changed. How Pyongyang should walk out of the shadow of Jang's affairs is a test for its young leader.