Once sidelined, China stands ready to broker a fourth Trump-Kim handshake

China is now prepared to facilitate a potential summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to sources well-acquainted with the situation. As Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to meet with Trump in Washington for a bilateral summit, Beijing is taking on a more "active" and "constructive" stance in reviving US-North Korea dialogue.

Multiple sources have highlighted China's determination to continue playing a central role in negotiations on the Korean peninsula, particularly as Trump seeks to reignite engagement with Pyongyang. Beijing is willing to support all credible efforts that could lead to resumed talks, but it is expected that North Korea would demand substantial concessions, including sanctions relief and recognition of its nuclear status.

China is keen on brokering a Trump-Kim meeting, seeing North Korea as leverage against the United States, but will only push for the leaders to meet if its own interests are protected. There have been discussions about holding the meeting on the sidelines of the Apec summit in Shenzhen in November, although nothing has been confirmed.

Trump has been sending public signals to North Korea expressing his desire to resume high-profile personal diplomacy. Recent actions, such as halving the duration of joint military exercises with South Korea and describing his relationship with Kim as "very good," indicate an effort to revive diplomacy with Kim and distract global attention from the Iran war.

However, communication between Washington and Pyongyang remains limited. Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-un's influential sister, stated that Washington's hostile policy towards North Korea has not changed, and Pyongyang still views the military exercises, albeit reduced, as provocative. Despite this, public opinion within North Korea has not been overly enthusiastic about Trump's offer for a meeting.