시진핑 오늘 방북...미국과의 견제와 협상 속 北-中 각각의 셈법은

The timing of President Xi's state visit is also worth noting as it comes only a week ahead of the G20 summit in Japan where the leaders of China, the U.S., and South Korea will be under one roof.
Oh Soo-young explores what this visit could mean for Pyeongyang and Beijing,... and its implications for Seoul and Washington.
Why now and what for?
Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting the North Korean capital,... for the first time since he took power in 2013,... although his counterpart Kim Jong-un has previously traveled to Beijing four times for face-to-face meetings.
Regarding the timing of Xi's visit,... days before he's scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump,... a number of observers say it's a visit staged for optics.
"At this juncture, ahead of the U.S.-China negotiations at the G20 Summit, Xi's visit can increase Beijing's bargaining power against Washington, by showing that it has strong influence over North Korea as its traditional ally."
The expert says it's clear what North Korea hopes to gain from the Chinese leader's visit some form of economic cooperation as Pyeongyang reels from the international community's sanctions pressure against its nuclear and missile programme,... and a bigger bargaining chip for its denuclearization talks with the U.S.
"Pyeongyang can show off its friendly ties with Beijing during the visit, and this may serve as a new trump card amid the stalled denuclearization talks with Washington."
But will the show of force between the two neighbours trigger a reaction from Washington?
"I think... Trump is delaying this... He's saying we have plenty of time, he's a good guy, we like him, we'll meet him. But time is on the U.S.' side. China is different than China 6 years ago. They have their own problems. Almost everyone citizens in Hong Kong protesting China and this is just beginning. Next, as I said Taiwan is coming next. Right now, they're not in a position to think about North Korea's problem. All political gesture and a lot of talk but I don't know if they can help them monetarily... I doubt it very much."
What the rare visit to Pyeongyang means to both sides,... and its implications remain to be seen,... but experts say it's clear that,... for now,... there's more symbolism than substance.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.