North Korea is seen as the No. 2 threat to China after the United States, according to a recent document written by strategists with the Chinese People's Liberation Army and seen by Kyodo News.

It shows that despite the two neighboring countries' traditionally friendly diplomatic ties, North Korea is seen, from a military perspective, as a threat in view of its nuclear arms and missile programs.

The document, issued in May 2016, is a wartime exercise guideline for designed to prepare in the event of threats from hypothetical enemies.