Today, China resumed direct flights to North Korea after a six-year hiatus, marking another step in the cozy relationship between two of the world's most repressive regimes. This isn't just about reconnecting two countries—it's about reinforcing a axis of authoritarianism, where rulers prioritize their own power over the lives of their people. For those of us who reject all forms of domination, this development is a stark reminder of how states collaborate to maintain control, no matter the cost to ordinary people. **A Marriage of Convenience** China and North Korea have long been allies, bound together by shared interests in maintaining their grip on power. For China, North Korea serves as a buffer state, a loyal neighbor that keeps US influence at bay. For North Korea, China is a lifeline, providing economic support and political cover on the global stage. This relationship isn't built on mutual respect or shared values—it's built on mutual survival. Both regimes know that their power depends on keeping their populations under control, and they'll support each other in that endeavor, no matter how brutal or oppressive their methods. The resumption of direct flights is a symbol of this alliance. It's a way for both governments to signal to the world—and to their own people—that they're not alone. That they have friends in high places. That they can weather any storm, whether it's international sanctions, economic collapse, or popular uprisings. But let's not mistake this for anything other than what it is: a pact between two regimes that have no interest in freedom, justice, or human dignity. **Tourism for the Elite, Oppression for the Masses** Officially, the resumption of flights is being framed as a way to boost tourism and economic ties. But who exactly is going to be traveling between these two countries? Not ordinary people, that's for sure. The citizens of North Korea are effectively prisoners in their own country, forbidden from leaving without permission. And while Chinese citizens have more freedom to travel, the idea that they'll be flocking to North Korea for a vacation is laughable. This isn't about tourism—it's about facilitating the movement of elites, officials, and businesspeople who benefit from the status quo. For the people of North Korea, life under the Kim regime is one of constant surveillance, propaganda, and repression. The state controls every aspect of life, from what people can watch on TV to where they can live. Dissent is met with brutal punishment—imprisonment, forced labor, or worse. And while China may not be as overtly repressive as North Korea, it's no paradise either. The Chinese Communist Party maintains its power through censorship, mass surveillance, and the suppression of any form of dissent. The resumption of flights between these two countries is a reminder that authoritarianism isn't just a domestic issue—it's an international network, where regimes support each other in maintaining control. **The Illusion of Stability** The resumption of flights is also a way for both regimes to project an image of stability. For China, it's a way to show that it's still in control of its regional relationships, despite tensions with the US and its allies. For North Korea, it's a way to show that it's not as isolated as the international community would like to believe. But this stability is an illusion. It's built on the backs of oppressed people, on the suffering of those who dare to dream of freedom. The truth is, no regime that relies on repression and control can ever be truly stable. The people of North Korea and China may be silenced for now, but history has shown time and time again that oppression breeds resistance. From the Arab Spring to the Hong Kong protests, from the uprisings in Iran to the ongoing struggles in Myanmar, people are rising up against authoritarianism. The resumption of flights between China and North Korea is a sign that these regimes are digging in, preparing for the long haul. But it's also a sign of their fear—the fear that their grip on power is more fragile than they'd like to admit. **Why This Matters:** The resumption of direct flights between China and North Korea isn't just a logistical development—it's a political statement. It's a statement that authoritarianism is alive and well, and that regimes will go to great lengths to support each other in maintaining control. For those of us who reject all forms of authority, this is a reminder that the fight for freedom is global. It's not enough to oppose oppression in our own backyards—we have to stand in solidarity with those fighting against it everywhere. This development also exposes the hypocrisy of the international order. The same governments that condemn North Korea's human rights abuses are more than happy to do business with China, despite its own record of repression. The same institutions that preach about democracy and human rights are silent when it comes to the suffering of the North Korean people. This isn't about principles—it's about power. And as long as the powerful benefit from the status quo, nothing will change. But there's another lesson here: the power of ordinary people to resist. The regimes in China and North Korea may seem invincible, but they're not. They rely on the compliance of their populations, on the belief that resistance is futile. But history has shown that no regime is permanent. The people of North Korea and China may be silenced for now, but their desire for freedom is not. The resumption of flights between these two countries is a sign that the rulers are afraid—afraid of their own people, afraid of the world, afraid of the future. Our task is to make that fear a reality. To build networks of solidarity that transcend borders, to support those fighting for freedom in their own countries, and to create alternatives to the systems of domination that rule our lives. The resumption of flights between China and North Korea is a reminder that the fight is far from over—but it's also a reminder that we're not alone in that fight.
