Kim Jong Un takes third abroad trip to northern China, meeting with President Xi Jinping in Dalian. They discussed resolving issues to continue for denuclearization and the North Korean economy. China is working to regain control in the fast-moving diplomacy over North Korea’s nuclear program.
The Chinese President Xi wanted to stress showing the media that China is repairing their relationship with North Korea. China is also looking to open trade with North Korea.
There are different predictions on how long the denuclearizaation process will take. The Trump administration talks of taking six months to a year to dismantle North Korea’s arsenal.
One big obstacle is the North Korean economy that is being kept-afloat with help from Chinese funding. North Korea’s economy is experiencing heavy loss due to United Nations sactions, Kim wants to develop his economy and has support from China. Kim reassures that if they don’t receive support from China, that South Korea can help.
The Chinese state media reported that Kim told Xi, “as long as relevant parties [namely the United States] eliminate the hostile policy and security threats against North Korea, North Korea does not need to have nuclear weapons, and denuclearization is achievable.”
The news of the meeting with Kim and Xi have yet to be reported in Pyongyang, North Korea. Previous summits with North Korean and Chinese leaders are not featured in North Korean news.
Xi has the impression that Kim is doing all he can to open communications in the hope of uniting the Korean peninsula while fostering positive international affairs.
While there are talks for denuclearization, China is starting sea-trials for China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier.
There are signs that denuclearization can be happening soon, but countries are preparing if tensions arise.
