SNAPSHOTS

China: Beijing Welcomes the Trump-Kim Summit, Cautiously

Jun 12, 2018 | 19:55 GMT

China has expressed its cautious optimism following the landmark summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

(Stratfor)

Highlights

Beijing will support warmer ties between the United States and North Korea, so long as their dialogue does not precipitate a complete collapse or, conversely, a rapid rapprochement in their relations.
China will likely increase its economic influence over Pyongyang to ensure North Korea does not fall into the United States' orbit.
Chinese leaders will base their actions on the North Korean nuclear issue on the principle of maintaining the balance of power on the peninsula in regard to the United States.

The June 12 summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was historic even if it didn't produce any earth-shattering breakthrough -- and that's just how China wants it. Though short on specifics regarding critical issues such as denuclearization and U.S. security guarantees, the summit's amicable atmosphere assuaged Beijing's immediate fears about hostilities on its doorstep. For Beijing, the prospect for better ties between Washington and Pyongyang is a positive outcome, so long as the dialogue does not produce outright failure or a sudden rapprochement that leads to what China might call Kim's "Nixon moment." Amid expectations that Washington and Pyongyang will steer their relations between these two extremes -- while remaining mindful about the potential for another false dawn -- China will look to insert itself into the discussions so it can shape the future of the Korean Peninsula in accordance with its interests....

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