Xi meeting 'was a success for Kim Jong Un', experts says
Speaking with FRANCE 24's Monte Francis, Edward Howell, Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Oxford, says that this week's China-North Korea summit was a success for Kim Jong Un "…
Speaking with FRANCE 24's Monte Francis, Edward Howell, Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Oxford, says that this week's China-N
Read Full Story at France 24 →Why This Matters
The latest Xi-Kim summit reaffirms the resilience of the Beijing-Pyongyang axis despite international sanctions, signaling that North Korea’s diplomatic isolation may not be as absolute as once assumed. For Kim Jong Un, the meeting serves as tangible proof of China’s enduring political and economic support, reinforcing his regime’s strategic autonomy in an era of escalating U.S.-led containment efforts.
Background Context
North Korea’s relationship with China has long been defined by mutual distrust tempered by necessity, with Beijing balancing its economic leverage against Pyongyang’s nuclear provocations to avoid regional instability. The summit’s timing—amid stalled denuclearization talks and rising U.S.-China tensions—suggests Kim is leveraging Beijing’s geopolitical rivalry with Washington to secure concessions without abandoning his nuclear ambitions.
What Happens Next
Kim Jong Un is likely to extract further economic aid or energy assistance from China, which could embolden Pyongyang to accelerate its weapons programs while maintaining a veneer of diplomatic engagement. Observers should watch for signs of expanded North Korean arms exports to Russia, a potential quid pro quo for Beijing’s support, as well as any shifts in China’s enforcement of UN sanctions.
Bigger Picture
This summit underscores a broader fragmentation of global non-proliferation norms, where traditional alliances like Beijing-Pyongyang are being recalibrated to serve narrower strategic interests. The episode also highlights how middle powers are exploiting great-power rivalries to defy international pressure, reshaping the architecture of global security in ways that may outlast the current crisis in Ukraine.
