New York Times: China Moves to Steady Ties With North Korea Before Trump-Kim Meeting
BEIJING — As North Korea holds summit meetings with its archenemies — first South Korea, and soon the United States — China is hustling not to lose influence.
Its foreign minister, Wang Yi, returned Thursday to Beijing after two days in North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, where he met with the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, shoring up China’s position as the North’s best friend.
China holds substantial economic leverage, but in the heightened strategic competition between it and the United States, it worries that Mr. Kim is using that rivalry to reduce dependence on China, his country’s longtime benefactor.
One of Mr. Wang’s jobs was to try to stop Mr. Kim from veering toward the United States under President Trump, some Chinese experts said.
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WNU editor: The Chinese are trying to take some of the credit .... North Korea's Kim tells China he is committed to denuclearisation (Reuters). Personally .... I am happy with this meeting. Everyone (China, the two Koreas, the U.S.) are now officially on board with a common cause .... to denuclearize and bring reconciliation to the peninsula.
More News On China's Foreign Minister Meeting North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un
China supports North Korea's commitment to denuclearization -- DW
North Korea’s Kim meets with China envoy amid warming ties -- Politico/AP
North Korean leader vows he is committed to denuclearization: China -- The Hill
China congratulates North Korea's Kim on reducing tensions -- Washington Post
'Sidelined' China seeks to maintain influence as ties between North Korea and US improve -- The Guardian
