Op-Ed Contributors

Mixed signals from Kim's visit

By Zhang Liangui (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-12 07:54

Acquiring Chinese goods and materials, as well as capital assistance, and promoting large-scale bilateral economic cooperation projects were also important topics during Kim's visit. Regardless of Kim's tour agenda, the timing of his visit may indicate to the international community that China is backing Pyongyang.

In view of Pyongyang's second nuclear test last May, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1874, imposing further economic and political sanctions on the DPRK.

Since then, Pyongyang has been committed to breaking the sanctions resolution. Kim's visit will put China under more diplomatic pressure.

Although the Western media may conclude that China may "support DPRK's arbitrary behavior", Kim's trip, in fact, precisely signals the nation's consistent efforts to promote the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

As far as China is concerned, its long-term interest in Northeast Asia is to maintain regional peace and stability and its short-term agenda is to promote the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Kim's visit further enhanced mutual communication and understanding among leaders of the two countries and strengthened the traditionally strong China-DPRK friendship.

China is seeking to maintain peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and creating a stable environment in the neighborhood through providing adequate assistance to the DPRK.

The DPRK leader's willingness to discuss ways to create favorable conditions to resume the Six-Party Talks aimed at maintaining a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula also raised the hopes of the international community. From this perspective, Kim's visit is of great significance.

The author is professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.

(China Daily 05/12/2010 page8)