China likely to tread carefully on North Korea as power dynamic shifts

Situation on Korean peninsula is becoming ‘very complicated’ after President Xi Jinping said Beijing’s commitment to assist Pyongyang won’t change

Analysts say China should be cautious about using its influence as leverage with the United States

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Chinese President Xi Jinping told North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that Beijing was determined to support the country’s new “strategic path”. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:00am, 23 Jun 2019Updated: 6:00am, 23 Jun 2019

China has given its strong backing to Pyongyang in a move that could alter the power dynamic on the Korean peninsula, but analysts say Beijing should be cautious about using its neighbour as leverage with Washington.

Beijing’s influence on the peninsula was on display last week during President Xi Jinping’s first state visit to Pyongyang, where he said China’s commitment to assist North Korea would not change, and called for dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington.

Analysts said pledges made by Xi during the visit – after talks collapsed in February between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump – were a sign that Beijing and Pyongyang, as well as Moscow, were becoming more aligned against Washington. But the approach, ahead of planned talks between Xi and Trump this week, could backfire on China, they said.

Pyongyang put on a lavish reception for Xi, who also visited a monument commemorating Chinese soldiers who fought on the side of North Korea during the Korean war.

On Saturday, North Korean state media said Xi and Kim had reached consensus on important issues after exchanging views on domestic and international matters of mutual concern.

Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un reached consensus on important issues, according to North Korean state media. Photo: KCNA/DPA

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