China is reportedly making concerted efforts to facilitate a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
According to multiple sources cited by the Hong Kong South China Morning Post on September 10, China is exploring ways to play an active and constructive role in reviving diplomatic relations between North Korea and the United States. The report also noted that China plans to support any credible efforts to resume dialogue between the two nations, although it did not specify the exact measures being taken.
A diplomatic source in Beijing analyzed that there is a significant possibility that China is pushing for mediation in the North Korea-U.S. summit for its own interests. Notably, Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the United States on September 24 for a meeting with President Trump. Xi visited North Korea in June, where he held talks with Kim Jong Un and agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation.
As a result, there is a strong possibility that Xi will understand what North Korea hopes to achieve from the North Korea-U.S. summit and convey that to President Trump. Additionally, Xi may inform Kim Jong Un about what the U.S. can offer North Korea and what the U.S. expects from it during the U.S.-China summit.
Xi is in a position to play a significant role in facilitating the North Korea-U.S. summit. However, these efforts will inevitably be made under the premise that they serve China's national interests. The South China Morning Post also analyzed that "China will actively connect both North Korea and the U.S. only if its strategic interests are guaranteed."
If the North Korea-U.S. summit takes place, Shenzhen in Guangdong Province is being mentioned as a potential location. The APEC summit is scheduled to be held in Shenzhen in November, with President Trump expected to attend. However, it remains uncertain whether the North Korea-U.S. summit could be held in Shenzhen.
Meanwhile, President Xi visited North Korea for a two-day trip on June 8 and 9. During the North China summit, Xi did not mention the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, leading to analyses that China has implicitly recognized North Korea as a nuclear power. Xi stated at the time, "The two countries should strengthen strategic coordination and cooperation to safeguard their respective sovereignty, security, and development interests, and jointly maintain regional peace and development." The Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency evaluated the North China summit as marking "a new historical starting point for China-North Korea relations."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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