Dubbed a “world-class poker player” in diplomacy by Donald Trump, Chinese leader Xi Jinping may hold the best cards after the US leader scrapped his planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
While China had publicly backed the June 12 meeting, analysts say Beijing was worried that a deal between its traditional ally and the United States could harm its strategic interests.
With both Trump and North Korea leaving the door open for the summit to take place at a later date, Beijing has won more time to ensure that its interests are protected, and possibly gain leverage in separate US trade talks, according to analysts.
Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang on Friday denied that China had “any ulterior motives”, adding it remains committed to the denuclearisation of the peninsula,…
Read More…..Guardian Newspapers
