Xi to Hold 2-Day Kim Summit as China Seeks Leverage Over Russia-Tilted North Korea
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 5
Xi to Hold 2-Day Kim Summit as China Seeks Leverage Over Russia-Tilted North Korea
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 5
Summary
Monday’s two-day summit will bring Xi Jinping back to North Korea for the first time in nearly seven years, where he is expected to meet Kim Jong-un and present a united front against the West.
China also wants to reassert its influence over Pyongyang after Kim’s growing alignment with Russia helped ease North Korea’s isolation and strengthened its economy.
Kim is expected to use that new leverage to press Beijing for economic concessions and resist being treated as China’s junior partner.
A more balanced North Korea relationship with both China and Russia could leave Kim feeling less constrained in advancing his nuclear program, adding to regional security strains.