China's Stance on Korea Talks
China is unlikely to block renewed U.S. and North Korean diplomacy ahead of Trump-Xi summit.
Anonymous
Key Points
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Trump and Xi are expected to meet at the White House in Washington on Sept. 24, while Trump has indicated he wants to reengage Kim later this year.
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China’s potential support for renewed U.S.-North Korean diplomacy is tied to its broader interest in maintaining a stable external environment on its periphery; Kritenbrink said Beijing may welcome talks “to the extent it furthers stability on the Korean Peninsula.”
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Kritenbrink served as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2021 to 2025 and is now a partner at the strategic advisory firm The Asia Group.
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Kritenbrink said Trump may seek China’s “general” support, but he does not believe the U.S. president is convinced that Xi’s assistance is necessary to restart talks with Kim.
China is unlikely to block Donald Trump's push to restart talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but Beijing probably won't play a leading role either, according to The New York Times. Former U.S. diplomat Daniel Kritenbrink said China may offer limited backing if renewed dialogue promotes stability on the Korean Peninsula—but remains wary of closer U.S.-North Korean ties.
Trump plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on September 24 and has signaled he wants to reengage Pyongyang later this year. Yahoo News reports that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is urging Trump to maintain dialogue with North Korea. Kritenbrink, who served as U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia until 2025, said Trump may seek Xi's general support but doesn't believe he needs China's help to restart negotiations.
Trump and Xi Meet While Korea Talks Heat Up
The White House summit between Trump and Xi on September 24 will likely surface North Korea discussions. The New York Times notes Trump has made multiple overtures to Kim Jong-un over the summer, pledging to meet with him directly. The timing matters: Trump wants to resume talks with Pyongyang before the year ends, creating a narrow window for diplomatic momentum.
China Plays It Safe on Korean Peninsula Stability
Beijing's interest in supporting renewed U.S.-North Korean talks hinges on one thing: regional stability. Kritenbrink explained that China may welcome dialogue "to the extent it furthers stability on the Korean Peninsula." That cautious language reflects Beijing's deeper anxiety. China fears that closer U.S.-North Korean ties could weaken its influence in the region and shift the balance of power eastward.
Trump Doesn't Believe He Needs Xi's Permission
Kritenbrink is skeptical that Trump views China as essential for restarting diplomacy with Pyongyang. The New York Times reports that Trump may ask Xi for general support, but the U.S. president is not convinced Xi's assistance is necessary. Trump has shown willingness to engage directly with adversaries without preconditions—a pattern from his first term that suggests he can move forward with or without Beijing's blessing.
Seoul Pushes Trump to Keep Talking to Pyongyang
South Korea is actively backing diplomatic efforts. Yahoo News reports that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has urged Trump to maintain dialogue with North Korea and says Seoul is working to facilitate talks between North and South. For Lee, sustained engagement with Pyongyang—especially through Washington—is preferable to frozen relations that heighten military tension on the peninsula.
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