Why China-North Korea relations are more complex than ever

Given the high level of secrecy that has long surrounded Beijing's foreign policy, diplomats and China-watchers have traditionally looked to the country's foreign affairs establishments for hints on its decision-making.

But when it come to China's policymaking towards North Korea, the large number of special-interest groups involved render such a method useless.

South Korean diplomats in Beijing privately complain that while they maintain good, effective working relations with their Chinese counterparts on various issues, consultations on North Korean-related affairs often go nowhere.

In response, Chinese diplomats argue the relationship with North Korea is a special and more complex one, and the foreign ministry has to consult a greater number of departments.

Officially, China's foreign policy is conducted through an established four-tier hierarchy.

At the top, the president heads the central leading group on foreign affairs. Then comes the premier, followed by a vice-premier (or state councillor with a foreign affairs portfolio) and finally the foreign minister.

"What I can say is that the policymaking towards North Korea is far more complicated and complex than any other area of foreign affairs," said a Chinese diplomat.