China - Articles

East Asian Security Perceptions

Gunjan Singh
Research Assistant, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
e-mail: gunjsingh@gmail.com

In March 2010, Beijing was provided direct access to the Sea of Japan by North Korea through the Rajin port. North Korea decided to extend the existing contract signed in 2008 by 10 years providing Chinese access to the port until 2028.

Also known as Rajin-Songbong, Rajin is the largest port in Rason, which was designated as a free trade zone in 1991 and has access to rail lines to Russia and China. Chinese free access to the Sea of Japan comes after a long period. The last time China had access to this area was in the 19th century. China lost its control over the Sea of Japan due to its conflicts with Japan and Russia. As a result China had to surrender territory to both countries which is why the Chinese provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang are landlocked. Access to the Rajin port provides commodities from landlocked areas in northeastern China a direct trade route. This will greatly enhance Chinese trade with South Korea and Japan. In addition to this, the port can also be used for the export of Siberian gas and oil to neighbouring countries.

These landlocked areas are also a problem for China’s naval aspirations. In this view, the following characteristics of the port make it significant. Firstly, it is ice free throughout the year. Secondly, it is supposed to contain five piers, a cargo-storing area that is approximately 203,000 square meters, 10 berths, and a storage area of about 26,000 square meters with a warehouse area of 177,000 square meters. In addition, the most striking feature of this port is that it is approximately 52 kilometers away from the roads that run along the Chinese border.

Though the major argument surrounding this development has been economic, it is believed that it will help boost Chinese presence in the region. Considering Chinese naval ambitions, this development has disturbed the other regional players, particularly South Korea and Japan. This exchange has also highlighted the heavy dependence of North Korea on China. With this port North Korea is looking at the potential that foreign investment will have for the development of the region. North Korea which is under United Nations sanctions appears to be desperate to undertake measures to sustain its economy.

It is an accepted fact that China’s activities in the Sea of Japan have been limited due to Washington’s alliances with Tokyo and Seoul. In the past few years, as Beijing has gained momentum in development (both economic as well as military), Washington has responded by further strengthening its alliances in the region to contain China. The Chinese strategic community believes that the presence of China in the Rajin Port will allow it to challenge Washington’s strategic interests in this region. The most obvious scenario, given the huge capacity of Rajin Port and its strategic location in the Sea of Japan, is that this facility could provide China with an access to the Arctic Ocean which it has been denied till now. This could greatly enhance Chinese ambitions to successfully build a blue-water navy and safeguard its trade routes located away from its coasts.

Beijing’s access to the Sea of Japan is not a direct threat to the United States interests in the region, as its naval power is not developed to the same standard as the United States. One cannot deny the fact that with the passage of time, as the Chinese military becomes more advanced, it will have implications on the United States policy in the region. It may also affect the relationship which the United States shares with other regional powers.

It would not be far-fetched to say that China and Russia both have an interest in keeping the region peaceful. First is the Chinese fear that if the North Korean situation further deteriorates there will be a huge influx of refugees. This is one element which the Chinese are seeking to avoid. The Russian economy is heavily dependent on the oil and gas imports and the development of the Rajin port can help it in further expanding. China and Russia have to both play a role in keeping the North Korean regime stable.

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