| In 1992 China ended its “one Korea policy.” The author hypothesizes that four factors—the Sino-American normalization, the role of leadership, international environmental changes, and Beijing's modernization—largely contributed to Beijing's policy change toward Seoul, either directly or indirectly. First, Sino-American rapprochement was a necessary factor providing the foundation to improve Sino-South Korean relations. Second, both countries' leaders worked as a propelling force to bring the countries together. Third, the international and regional political environment shifts in the late 1980s and early 1990s catalyzed Sino-South Korean relations by providing a favorable environment to both countries. Finally, Beijing's modernization was a crucial factor in Beijing's policy change toward Seoul. Overall, the author concludes that the most powerful determining factor that made this policy shift possible was the Chinese push for domestic economy modernization, and the international political environmental changes, especially in Northeast Asia, served as a catalyzer to make it possible. |
