China is said to be North Korea's older brother, while North Korea is said to be fulfilling its younger brother's duties.
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Xi Jingping's visit to North Korea on June 20 and 21, 2019 is significant. This is the first time in 14 years that a Chinese president has visited Pyongyang. This year marks the 70th anniversary of political relations between the two neighboring nations. During the visit, Xi was accompanied by his wife Peng Leon, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Senior Chinese Ambassador Yang Jiechi and the head of the National Development and Reform Commission, He Lifeng.
Continued missile tests have seen North Korea pursue a consistently tough policy on China's side for the past 14 years. On the other hand, China seems to have accepted the sanctions imposed by the United Nations. In fact, the sanctions have hit the North Korean economy hard. Against this backdrop, the visit is seen as an important breach of contract for Pyongyang.
Prior to his visit, Xi had written an article in the Korean newspaper Rodong Sinman. In it, he claimed that China would definitely support Pyongyang's "appropriate policies" to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue. In the article, Xi also says that there is so much potential between himself and Kim that they will take the relationship to a new height, and that the visit is the initiation of a new dawn in the east.
All eyes were on this visit. It is also said to be a political gift. The two leaders visited many places in the country together. North Korea hosted an important event for Xi, underlining the importance of the two countries' relationship and closeness. As many as 250,000 people lined the streets of Pyongyang to welcome Xi Jinping. A gymnastics show was also held at Rungrado May Day Stadium. This welcome ceremony and gymnastics show underscores the importance of these countries' relations in North Korea.
The visit comes a day before leaders from Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States meet during the G20 summit. These countries have played a major role in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. North Korea, which is currently undergoing an arms test, could pose a threat to its security. The turban of Trump and Kim's failed meeting in Hanoi was also on the agenda. Kim's visit to Russia also had important background.
The visit was successful in creating the impression that Kim still needs China's support and that China will always support him on the issue of establishing economic prosperity and peace in North Korea. China has consistently helped North Korea maintain its position despite UN sanctions.
Even symbolically, this visit is very important for Xi Jingping and Kim Jong-un. Through this visit, Xi made it clear that his role is very important for regional development. It also became clear that North Korea was still dependent on China and could do nothing without their consent or support. When Xi meets Trump at the G20 summit and discusses the North Korean issue, Xi will have a hard time. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the mouthpiece of the state of Korea, "Against the backdrop of some serious and complex issues in the international and regional situation, the two senior leaders expressed their views on a wide range of important regional and international issues."
After Xi left Pyongyang on Friday afternoon, it was not clear exactly what the outcome of the visit would be in the future. Xi stressed the importance of achieving economic progress, as well as nuclear disarmament and the outcome of the Kim Trump visit. Of course, since no official announcement has been made, many things are based on skeptical unity. One could even claim that the purpose of the visit was to find out what Kim Nemaka was thinking and to prepare him for the discussion. Beijing has never imposed full sanctions on North Korea for fear of losing its dominance, which China does not want to allow.
The scene that is currently unfolding, and the symbolism that is being erected, suggests that China wants to establish itself as North Korea's older brother, while also expecting North Korea to fulfill its younger brother's duties. China is eyeing talks between North Korea and the United States, and will no longer conduct nuclear and missile tests.
Regional peace is important to China, which wants North Korea to integrate the global economy in order to make economic progress. Although this is a very important event in 2019, it is not yet clear what exactly will be achieved.
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