Revitalised friendship with China to serve North Korea well
Although there are questions as to how close both nations really are, good ties will help them work towards denuclearisation and lasting peace and stability
China may not have been at the table when the leaders of North Korea and the United States had historic talks in Singapore on June 12, but it has a crucial role in ensuring that what has been achieved can be built upon. The North’s Kim Jong-un highlighted that this week by meeting President Xi Jinping for the third time in less than three months.
After the leaders and their wives and aides met in Beijing, he referred to the countries as “like family”, indicating how dramatically the nature of the relationship has changed since the latest push for peace on the Korean peninsula began in March.
Although there are questions as to how close the sides have become, of one matter there can be no doubt – the goals of denuclearisation and lasting peace and stability rely on good ties and being able to work closely together.
There is every sign of a sturdy relationship. Kim now refers to Xi as “comrade”, while the Chinese leader speaks of ties having entered a new stage of development. China is North Korea’s closest ally, but ties cooled after Kim took power in 2011 and ramped up testing of nuclear weapons and missiles.
The thaw began after a leadership summit of the two Koreas in March and Beijing has given full backing to Pyongyang’s efforts to make peace with Seoul and Washington.