China will use the North Korean card to pressurise US, claims US analyst -

Washington/Pyongyang: – Discussions were held between the Chinese and North Korean officials on Monday. The Chinese media reported that important messages were exchanged between Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-un. A statement saying that the traditional front for the two countries has become stronger was issued after the discussions. An analyst from the United States claimed that these discussions and the subsequent statement are an indication that China will be using North Korea to pressurise the Biden administration.

Two-Plus-Two level talks were held between the United States and South Korea in the last week. Both the countries announced in the meeting that the primary common objective is to make North Korea free of nuclear weapons. At this time, the United States appealed to China to join the efforts. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken advised, ‘China should use the special ties it has with North Korea to pressurise the country. This will be in the Chinese interest.’ It had been exposed that there had been verbal clashes between the officials from the United States and China during their meeting after this.

Against this background, the high-level meeting between China and North Korea becomes significant. Senior Chinese official Song Tao and North Korean Ambassador to China, Ri Ryong-nam, held discussions during the meeting. Chinese media reported that messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-un were exchanged during the meeting. Saying that the cooperation with North Korea was extremely valuable, Jinping assured contribution to peace in the Korean region. In contrast, Kim Jong-un claimed that unity and cooperation with China has become stronger.

US media claimed that exchanging messages between China and North Korea is a warning shot for the United States. Analyst Harry J. Kazianis warned that China would use North Korea as a card to pressurise the Biden administration. Kazianis pointed out that China will use this to show that Biden cannot stop China.

China is known to be the country with maximum influence on the North Korean regime. It is believed that China has supplied the technology and other assistance for the nuclear weapons possessed by North Korea. China is maintaining its influence on North Korea with the supply of foodstuff, finance and many other means.