Embassy of China, Pyongyang

The Embassy of China in North Korea is one of 25 active diplomatic missions in North Korea and is situated in Kinmaul-Dong, Moranbong District, Pyongyang North Korea. The Chinese embassy is one of three embassies located outside of the Munsu-dong diplomatic compound, the others being the Embassy of Russia in Pyongyang and the Embassy of Pakistan in Pyongyang. The unique location of these embassies is said to be due to their larger size compared to those embassies situated within the diplomatic compound. == History ==

Throughout the early 1950s, shortly after the entry of the United States of America in the Korean War, US bombing runs began to target Pyongyang more frequently. In July 1950, the delegates at the Chinese Embassy of Pyongyang were forced to leave the embassy over fears of bombs striking the embassy itself. It was reported that no Chinese diplomats were harmed. After the purging of the Yan'an faction from the North Korean government, Chinese-Korean relations were at a low after Kim Il Sung reportedly showed concern for his own faction, the Manchurian Faction, and felt its position in the Korean government was challenged. After a visit by Chinese diplomat Zhou Enlai to the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang, an agreement dubbed the "Agreement Concerning Mutual Visits of Leaders between China and North Korea" was written. This agreement stipulated that the political leaders of both countries would regularly visit the other to consult on key policy directives, war efforts and other areas of key concern. This agreement is still in place as of May 2021 and since its instillment, it is reported that there has been a large number of recorded visits from high ranking Chinese officials to North Korea, primarily working out of the embassy in Pyongyang. On August 22, 2007, a week after weeks of torrential rain caused widespread flooding in North Korea, the Chinese Embassy of Pyongyang announced that China's Red Cross foundation would pledge $50,000 worth of relief supplies. This aid was part of China's broader aid package, which included further aid supplies as well as the dispatchment of Chinese relief teams to affected areas. In May 2010, it was alleged by the Chinese government that the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang had been unable to conduct ordinary intelligence gathering duties that were routinely conducted by its other international counterparts. This is reportedly due to a lack of trust between the two countries. On May 20, 2010, the Chinese ambassador Liu Hongcai brought together major Chinese firms to the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang to pledge his enhanced support for their efforts. It was reported that this was to help legitimise the number of Chinese workers immigrating to North Korea as well as helping to combat the illegal entry of Chinese workers. After the anniversary of the Korean war, on 15 June 2010, the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang announced that China and North Korea will together be producing a film to mark the historic anniversary. Following the death of North Korea's Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-Il, the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang offered condolences on behalf of China, carrying the full letter of condolence telegram to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea leadership party in December 2011. Following the death of Kim Jong-Il, Chinese analysts reported in mid-February 2011 that they were satisfied with the current political situation in North Korea. It was further recorded that through high level meetings with senior North Korean officials at the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang, including meetings with Kim Jong-Un, that Chinese-North Korean relations were becoming increasingly stable. On April 4, 2017, the People's Republic of China Ambassador Li Jinjun leads the Chinese Embassy delegation to ceremonies in Pyongyang commemorating Chinese People's Volunteer Army members killed during the Korean War. The fatal accident occurred the Sunday prior when the bus drove off a bridge in the North Hwanghae Province. It was recorded that four North Koreans had also been killed in the accident. == Departments ==

The Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang has various different departments and offers a range of services due in part to the large Chinese population living in North Korea. The embassy includes an educational office, a science and technology office, an economic and commercial office, a defence attaché office, an administrative office and a political office. The embassy also supports the local North Korean citizens by offering a wide range of consular services, the main services offered being: • Getting in touch with specific contacts or sending information to China • Informational services regarding the attainment of a Chinese visa and/or passport • The process of applying for a Chinese visa • Offering general information regarding the Chinese economy, sports, education system and Chinese culture. China's Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the embassy in Pyongyang is also responsible for liaising with China's Department of Foreign aid with regards to preparing annual relief packages to the Democratic Peoples Republic of North Korea, which has been categorised as a reliable way to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries and promote Chinese business within North Korea. Relief packages have been consistently been provided to North Korea since China sent over US$1.2 million in aid after a railway explosion killed 161 people and injured Kim Jong Il in 2004. == Security threats ==

On 6 April 2020, a major cyber-attack on the Chinese Government saw a hacking group known as "DarkHotel" gain access to embassy data from the Chinese Embassy of Pyongyang, as well as over a dozen other locations worldwide. The attack was successful due in part to the "very old" security practices and infrastructure used by the embassy. The hackers then leaked "a large amount of sensitive data" reportedly surrounding supply and medical data. == See also ==