China may not block US-NK diplomacy, but unlikely to play central role: ex-US diplomat
WASHINGTON — China may not block the resumption of diplomacy between the United States and North Korea but is unlikely to play a "central" role in their reengagement, a former senior U.S. diplomat said Thursday, ahead of the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Daniel Kritenbrink, who served as assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific…
Washington — In the lead-up to President Donald Trump's anticipated summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week, a former senior U.S. diplomat has offered insight into China's potential role in the resumption of U.S.-North Korea dialogue. Daniel Kritenbrink, who held the position of assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific Affairs from 2021-25, shared his thoughts with Yonhap News Agency in response to written questions.
Kritenbrink, currently a partner at The Asia Group, a strategic advisory firm, cautioned that Beijing is likely to be "suspicious" of any significant shift in the U.S.-North Korea relationship.
The upcoming summit between Trump and Xi is scheduled for next Thursday in Washington, D.C. Trump has also indicated his intention to reestablish communication with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year. Kritenbrink stated that while China is unlikely to obstruct U.S.-Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) diplomacy, it is improbable that Beijing will assume a central role in the reengagement process.
DPRK refers to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kritenbrink, now a strategic advisor, emphasized that China's stance on the matter will likely be one of cautious suspicion.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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