Despite the collapse of the Communist Bloc, shared ideological principles and revolutionary values still bind North Korea-China relations. While some analysts emphasize geopolitics and economic issues as the cornerstone of the contemporary North Korea-China alliance, it would be wrong to deride ideology as an outdated component of this diplomatic relationship. Too often, outside observers overstate the supposed tense relations between two neighbors rather than the longstanding comradeship and ideological ties forged between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK). 

Ideological education and thought control are still foundations of regime stability in both the DPRK and PRC. The Chinese Communist Party’s centenary celebrations and Kim Jong Un’s recent evocation of “communist traits” bore this out.