China and North Korea have had a long association since 1945. In North East Asia, the two nations have proved good neighbours. China has made a large contribution to North Korea’s development.
The relations have never been broken despite some acrimony at times.
Both countries have been committed to strong mutual ties. As both nations have important regional and international issues to deal with it was important that a Chinese leader should visit North Korea for talks with its leadership.
This was the main reason President Xi’s visit to North Korea at the invitation of Kim Jong-Un on June 20 and June 21. A statement issued in Beijing said that “Both sides will exchange views on the (Korean) Peninsula situation, and push for new progress in the political resolution of the peninsula issue.”
Both sides have realised the gravity of global issues affecting the Korean Peninsula. China and North Korea have decided to improve their relations, which suffered over nuclear issues and sanctions imposed by the United Nations.
Kim has visited China four times in the past year to meet President Xi. President Xi’s visit marked the 70th year since China and North Korea established diplomatic ties.
As vice president, Xi had visited North Korea in 2008.
As president, this was his first visit to North Korea. It is also expected that Kim might listen to President Xi.
The last Chinese President to visit North Korea was President Hu Jintao, who undertook a visit in 2005.
The trade war with China and denuclearisation of North Korea are highly important for Trump
Ties between China and North Korea were strained over the latter’s nuclear programme. Repairing the ties after 14 years would be a good point for the two countries. There has been a lot of progress since the Singapore meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kim.
Also, during the week, President Trump was to visit Japan for a summit meeting of G-20. At G-20 summit he and President Xi might discuss North Korea. It would be nice for President Xi to be equipped for such a discussion.
This would help President Xi fully understand North Korean issues and make it possible for him to explain these to President Trump. For him, a trade war with China and North Korean denuclearisation are highly important agendas. China has influence with North Korea. It also understands the US position. China is also a critical stakeholder in the situation. Nothing can be done without its approval.
China will remain central to the game. In any conflict, either with the US, directly or indirectly, China will play its role. This factor cannot be overlooked. It may take some time, if not instantly resolved. China has the logic and it will work. Moon also said he expected Kim to visit Russia, adding a North Korea-Japan Summit was also possible soon as Japan was keen to sort out its differences with North Korea. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered to meet Kim “unconditionally” in a bid to restore diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Mao Zedong played a significant role in securing North Korean troops from defeat in the Korean War (1950-53). This time, China may be coming as a good friend but one has to see how the US would look at this new situation. In recent days, hundreds of soldiers and workers have been sprucing up the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang; pruning bushes and replanting flowerbeds on the approaches to the monument. The monument commemorates the millions of Chinese troops that Mao Zedong had sent to save the forces of Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il Sung, from defeat during the Korean War.
The South Korean Government has closely consulted with China on a plan by President Xi Jinping to visit North Korea. South Korea has kept a close eye on the issue since it has learned of a related move. The visit will contribute to a peaceful resolution to the Korean Peninsula issue.
President Xi is committed to asking Kim to negotiate with President Trump. This is difficult, but President Xi is taking this chance. President Xi has learned many lessons from Kim and is, perhaps, the only man in the world who could speak on his behalf. Kim’s letter diplomacy to President Trump and sending off his sister to South Korea has created goodwill in Washington.
The writer is a freelancer