The Diplomacy Behind Kim Jong-un's China Visit

Rana Mitter comments on the significance of King Jong-Un's surprise visit to China on Radio 4.

Interviewed on the World at One, Professor Mitter explained that President Trump's decision to reach out to North Korea forced President Xi to act, so as not to lose leverage with North Korea.  China remains North Korea's only major strategic ally, but the Pjongyang regime also provides China with an important buffer zone between it and South Korea.  Asked about the possibility of China putting pressure on North Korea over nuclear weapons, he argued one possible positive scenario could be the restarting of the six-party negotiations between Russia,, Japan, both Koreas, China and the United States.

Listen to the radio interview from 23m00 mark: on World at One (BBC iplayer Radio)