What if worst comes to worst with North Korea? China ‘must be ready’ for war on the peninsula

Beijing needs to come up with backup plans, either on its own or with Washington and Seoul in case the crisis on the Korean peninsula escalates into conflict, a leading Chinese analyst has warned. But other observers said it was still too early to discuss a post-war Pyongyang with other countries, insisting there is no sign of the North Korean regime falling. In an article published in Australia-based online magazine East Asia Forum earlier this month, Peking University international relations professor Jia Qingguo said: China, United States and South Korea need to work togheter for a contingency plans. In his article, Jia said: four major areas needed to be addressed, North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, an influx of refugees, restoration of social order, and post-crisis political arrangements on the peninsula. He add: “So far Beijing has resisted the idea for fear of upsetting and alienating Pyongyang. But, given recent developments, Beijing may have no better choice than to start talking with Washington and Seoul”, Jia wrote. “When war becomes a real possibility, China must be prepared”.