Kim-Xi summit sends signal to Trump of China's key role

By: The Associated Press

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 12:05 AM

BEIJING (AP) Analysts say this week's China-North Korea summit was intended at least partly to tell Washington that China remains a key factor ahead of a much anticipated meeting between the North's Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump.

Kim seems to be looking for Chinese support in the talks, particularly his call for a "phased and synchronous" approach to denuclearization as opposed to Trump's demand for an immediate end to its nuclear programs, while China wants to protect its strategic interests.

Xi and Kim held talks Monday and Tuesday in the northern Chinese port of Dalian, the second time they've met in just over a month following Kim's unannounced trip to Beijing in late March, a powerful sign of the enduring relationship between the communist neighbors despite years of fraying ties.

Kim-Xi summit sends signal to Trump of China's key role

In this May 7, 2018, photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Dalian, China. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

The Associated Press

In this May 7, 2018, photo provided May 9, 2018, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a reception in Dalian, China. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

The Associated Press

In this Tuesday, May 8, 2018, photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Dalian, China. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

The Associated Press

In this Tuesday, May 8, 2018, photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk while walking in Dalian, China. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

The Associated Press

In this May 7, 2018, photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, third from left, holds a talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping, fourth from right, in Dalian, China. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

The Associated Press

In this Tuesday, May 8, 2018, photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center left, Kim's younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, left, Chinese President Xi Jinping, center right, and Song Tao, head of the ruling Communist Party's International Department meet during lunch in Dalian, China. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

The Associated Press

In this Monday, May 7, 2018, photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, arrives at an airport in Dalian, China. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

The Associated Press