65th anniversary of Korean ties goes without mention in official mainland press
Once a big event on the calendar of both allies, Beijing's silence is a sign of unease with ties
China yesterday maintained an unusual silence on the 65th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with North Korea, which diplomats and analysts said reflected the fast deterioration of the relationship.
North Korea and China established formal ties on October 6, 1949 in a close alliance described as being "forged in blood" as China fought alongside the North in the 1950-53 Korean war.
No Chinese state-run newspapers reported the anniversary, nor were there reports of the event in either capital.
Diplomats and analysts said the unusual silence reflected the deterioration of relations between the two formerly staunch allies. Strains in the long-standing relationship have only really shown in recent years, after Pyongyang tested a nuclear weapon in October 2006 and China supported UN sanctions against the North in response.
"The silence on the five-yearly anniversary is unusual as it suggested the fast deterioration of relations between the two countries," said Wang Xinsheng , a North Korean affairs expert at Peking University. Wang said the anniversary was once a major event for China.
China usually attaches more importance to decadal anniversaries of historic events than to those held on fifth anniversaries.
Wang also said the development might also indicate political uncertainties in North Korea politics amid recent rumours that the young leader Kim Jong-un has been deposed after not being seen in public for a month.
