ExclusiveOnce sidelined, China stands ready to broker fourth Trump-Kim handshake
Beijing seeks role as central player in Korean peninsula diplomacy but wants a guarantee Washington has clear goals, source says
Multiple people familiar with the matter told the South China Morning Post that Beijing was stepping up to play an “active” and “constructive” role in reviving US-North Korea diplomacy, underscoring its resolve to remain a central player in negotiations on the Korean peninsula as Trump seeks to reignite engagement with Pyongyang.
According to two sources, Beijing will support all credible efforts that could lead to resumed dialogue.
But they argued that Kim was likely to demand a high price for returning to the negotiating table, given his strengthened ties with Russia – which affords Pyongyang greater diplomatic and military leverage – and China, as well as Kim’s disappointment from past meetings with Trump.
One source said Kim was likely to insist on sanctions relief and US recognition of its nuclear status before agreeing to another meeting with Trump.