This is a smart strategic move by Xi to strengthen his hold on a country he already basically controls. Although Kim Jong-un would not admit it. This kind of leaves Russia as the odd man out, and with Ukraine on the offensive, things don’t look good for Putin.
Personally, allies are mostly there for protection, collaboration and arms for war, but underneath, these same allies are trying to get out from the U.S. umbrella. Probably not a good thing to do, and we will find out sometime in the future as the EU and NATO issues get worked out. The U.S. can stand on its own, not so for many of our allies. All IMO.
“Mr. Xi’s visit to Pyongyang, his first trip outside China this year and his first visit to North Korea in seven years, “will surely inject new impetus into the traditional friendship between the two countries,” said the Chinese state news agency, Xinhua, on the eve of the summit. “They are good neighbors, good friends, and good comrades….who have helped each other in time of need.”
The commentary said not a word about either Russia or America, but the message was clear. As the leader of the country that rescued North Korea in the Korean War, Mr. Xi will remind Mr. Kim that he needs Chinese oil and food as well as the guarantee of defense if another war breaks out on the Korean peninsula.
If Mr. Xi conveys President Trump’s eagerness for another summit with Mr. Kim, it will be to play Washington against Moscow, undermining the influence of President Putin. The fact that Mr. Xi hosted Mr. Putin at Beijing last month within days after his summit with Mr. Trump shows his desire to stand between them while increasing his own authority throughout the region.”