Hope beyond expectations in East Asia

The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hye scheduled for later this week will be the fifth between the two leaders in the past year.

One of the noteworthy developments in international relations during Park's presidency is the establishment of close relations between China and the ROK. Since assuming office as the top leaders of their respective countries, Xi and Park have had one informal and three formal meetings. But more important than the frequency of their meetings is the mutual understanding that Xi and Park have developed, which will prove vital for them to deal with a mountain of thorny problems facing them.

It is expected that the two heads of state may discuss how to dissuade the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from conducting a fourth nuclear test. The ROK and China could also launch a new initiative to restart the Six-Party Talks, offering the DPRK economic aid in exchange for the abandonment of its nuclear project.