China and North Korea repeat "their work in bilateral relations between North Korea and Russia" in ratification of the treaty.

While North Korea and Russia have formally ratified a treaty that raises bilateral relations to the level of a military alliance, China has repeated its principle position of distancing itself from bilateral cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Linjian responded to reporters asking about North Korea-Russia's position on ratification of the treaty at a regular briefing on the 12th local time, saying, "We have already expressed our position on bilateral exchanges and cooperation between North Korea and Russia several times."

"Jororr is two independent sovereign states and it is their own business how to develop bilateral relations," he continued.

China's foreign ministry maintains its distance, saying it is "not aware of the situation" despite the fact that North Korea is sending troops.