The decision by China not to sell the J-10C fighter jet to North Korea is based on multiple considerations, including international politics, security situations, economic conditions, military needs, and the historical cooperation between the two parties.
This decision is clearly not just a simple trade issue; it involves complex layers of national security, foreign policy, and regional stability. So why did China choose to refuse North Korea’s request?
First, international regulations are an undeniable factor. Since North Korea conducted its nuclear test in 2006, the United Nations has imposed strict arms embargo sanctions on North Korea.
This means that any country providing advanced weapons to North Korea, especially military technologies like fighter jets, would directly violate UN sanctions.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China’s position in the international community is particularly special. If China violates these sanctions, it would not only face severe criticism from the UN but could also be seen as a “violator” of the global nuclear non-proliferation agreement.
In this situation, the pressure from international public opinion cannot be ignored. Other countries, especially the United States, Japan, and South Korea, would certainly seize the opportunity to criticize China for supporting North Korea’s weapon development, potentially exacerbating regional arms races.
More seriously, such actions could lead to further tensions in the entire East Asian military situation, bringing about unforeseen consequences.
From the perspective of international politics, refusing to provide the J-10C to North Korea is an important manifestation of China’s commitment to maintaining international order and adhering to UN resolutions. It not only avoids external criticism but also prevents other countries from taking retaliatory measures, thus allowing China to maintain a good image on the international stage and safeguard its long-term interests.
If China were to overlook this, it could lay hidden dangers for escalating tensions and even bring great uncertainty to future diplomatic relations.
Secondly, North Korea’s economic situation is also one of the important reasons for China’s refusal to sell the J-10C. The J-10C, as a modern fourth-and-a-half generation fighter jet, comes with a hefty price tag, with each aircraft costing tens of millions of dollars.
In addition to the purchase price, the subsequent maintenance, upkeep, upgrade parts, and pilot training costs are also substantial. For a country like North Korea, which has a relatively weak economic foundation, the mere procurement cost of the fighter jet is already a heavy burden.
According to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), North Korea’s GDP in 2023 is less than $30 billion, while Pakistan’s GDP is about more than twice that amount.
More importantly, North Korea’s military spending is largely allocated to the development of missile and nuclear projects, making its fiscal budget usage much tighter than that of other countries.
North Korea’s economic situation determines that it cannot afford the high costs of purchasing the J-10C fighter jet. If China were to sell the J-10C to North Korea, North Korea would not only face the purchase costs but also need to provide huge funds for the long-term operation and maintenance of the aircraft. Even if North Korea has the willingness to purchase, such a transaction is practically unfeasible.
In other words, North Korea does not have sufficient financial resources to support such a significant military procurement. Meanwhile, the economic difficulties faced by North Korea prevent it from being as flexible in foreign military sales as Pakistan, which can utilize other means of payment.
For North Korea, purchasing fighter jets is not an urgent priority; ensuring the normal operation of its existing military facilities and nuclear weapons projects is its biggest challenge.
Additionally, North Korea’s current air force equipment cannot support the integration of advanced J-10C fighter jets. The North Korean air force still primarily relies on outdated Soviet-era MiG-21 and MiG-29 fighter jets, which have significantly inferior combat capabilities compared to the J-10C.
The J-10C, as an advanced multi-role fighter, possesses stronger stealth capabilities, supersonic cruising ability, and advanced electronic warfare systems, which differ significantly from North Korea’s existing combat modes.
North Korea’s current air force equipment is more suited for single-aircraft operations and short-range combat, while the J-10C emphasizes “systematic combat,” requiring advanced early warning aircraft, electronic warfare systems, data links, and other support systems to maximize its combat effectiveness.
However, North Korea’s existing air force infrastructure and command control systems clearly cannot support the operational requirements of such a high-end fighter. If the J-10C were forcibly provided to North Korea, it would not only need to build an advanced command network and training system from scratch but also replan and adjust its entire air force combat theory and training methods.
This process is extremely complex and could take ten years or even longer to complete. More importantly, North Korean air force pilots may not be able to quickly adapt to operating the J-10C, meaning that even if the aircraft were delivered, North Korea would struggle to enhance its air force combat capabilities in the short term, potentially leading to the aircraft being idle and unable to fulfill its intended role.
In contrast to North Korea, Pakistan has a stronger economic and military foundation to accept the J-10C. The Pakistan Air Force’s equipment includes the Chinese-made JF-17 fighter jet, and there is a long history of military cooperation between China and Pakistan.
Pakistani pilots are very familiar with operating Chinese aircraft, and the military logistics systems of both sides are already highly compatible. Therefore, once the J-10C is delivered, Pakistan can quickly integrate it into its existing combat system and enhance its air force’s combat capabilities through modernization.
In addition to military needs and operational adaptability, Pakistan’s economic situation is also relatively stable. Although Pakistan also faces fiscal pressures, the economic cooperation between China and Pakistan is very flexible.
Pakistan can pay part of the contract amount in RMB, alleviating foreign exchange payment pressure. Moreover, China has provided more financial support to Pakistan through projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This allows Pakistan to pay for the procurement of the J-10C in a relatively flexible manner, thus successfully completing the transaction.
Finally, the complexity of the situation on the Korean Peninsula is also an important reason for China’s refusal to sell the J-10C to North Korea. The Korean Peninsula has long been in a state of tension, and the confrontation between North and South Korea has always been a focus of international attention.
If China were to provide advanced fighter jets to North Korea, it would not only provoke a strong reaction from South Korea and the United States but could also further escalate military confrontations across the entire peninsula.
In this context, China’s military assistance could be interpreted as “arming North Korea,” leading to widespread international skepticism and potentially worsening regional security situations.
China understands that the stability of the peninsula is related to the security and peace of the entire East Asia region. If China were to provide the J-10C to North Korea for immediate economic benefits, it could trigger regional conflicts and push the Korean Peninsula into a more dangerous situation.
Instead, China chooses to stabilize the situation on the Korean Peninsula through mediation and assistance, avoiding excessive escalation of conflicts and ensuring long-term peace and stability. This is the wisdom of China in handling the North Korean issue.
Overall, the reasons for China’s refusal to sell the J-10C fighter jet to North Korea are complex and multi-layered. Whether it is the pressure of international politics, North Korea’s economic situation, military adaptability issues, or considerations of the peninsula situation, all make this decision appear very rational and cautious.
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