Source:
https://scmp.com/article/517104/diplomatic-coup-china

A diplomatic coup for China

Despite yesterday's apparent backtracking by North Korea, analysts believe Monday's nuclear disarmament deal struck in Beijing has increased trust between China and the US and strengthened confidence in future diplomatic co-operation.

'The 21/2-year-long talks have enabled the United States to increase its understanding and trust of China as a responsible power and its role in maintaining regional peace and stability,' said Guo Zhenyuan a Taiwanese affairs expert with the China Institute of International Studies.

North Korea yesterday said it would not abandon its nuclear programmes until it had been provided with a civilian nuclear reactor, in apparent contradiction of the deal.

Nevertheless, the agreement represents an important achievement for China and its efforts as the talks' host to bring all parties together, said Professor Guo, adding that US President George W. Bush had spoken highly of China's contribution to the talks during his meeting with President Hu Jintao in New York last week.

China has the closest relationship with North Korea of any of the talks' participants and, as an important provider of food and oil, the most leverage. 'The result is positive for Sino-US relations and it increases the mutual understanding and trust between them,' said Andrew Yang Nien-dzu, director of the Taipei-based Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies.

Regarding the North's apparent retraction yesterday, Kim Tae-woo, of Seoul's Institute for Defence Analysis, said it signalled a miscommunication among the North's leadership. He suggested negotiators had been under great pressure to sign the deal in Beijing, but once they returned home they changed their position.