China Shows Strong Willingness to Mediate U.S.–North Korea Summit

[Financial News] China is reportedly willing to mediate a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
On the 10th, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP), citing multiple sources, reported that "China is preparing to play an active and constructive role in resuming diplomacy between North Korea and the United States."
The claim has drawn attention because it emerged ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled visit to the United States on the 24th.
The sources said, "China will support every credible effort that could lead to the resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States." Analysts say this reflects China's desire to maintain a central role in negotiations over the Korean Peninsula.
However, some observers believe North Korea is likely to demand major concessions as a condition for returning to the negotiating table. North Korea has expanded its diplomatic and military influence by strengthening ties with Russia and China, while it remains deeply disappointed that its past meetings with President Trump produced no substantive results.
In this regard, one source predicted, "Before agreeing to another meeting with President Trump, Chairman Kim may demand relief from sanctions against North Korea and U.S. recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-weapon state." Another source said, "Before pursuing a summit, China will seek to determine what concrete results the United States could offer." The sources predicted that "China will actively pursue a U.S.–North Korea summit only if its own interests are guaranteed."
A plan to hold a U.S.–North Korea summit on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting in Shenzhen this November has also reportedly been discussed, but no details have been finalized.
[email protected] Hong Chae-wan Reporter