Commentaries, Analysis, And Observations On North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un's Trip To China

James Griffiths, CNN: Why would Kim Jong Un make a secret trip to China?

Hong Kong (CNN)A surprise visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to China may indicate Pyongyang's need for support from its closest ally ahead of upcoming summits with South Korea and the US.

Observers say it would be highly unusual for Kim to meet US President Donald Trump without seeing Chinese President Xi Jinping first. Kim has never met a foreign leader since he took power in 2011, yet China is North Korea's number one trading and economic partner, and is Pyongyang's only major military ally.

The circumstances surrounding the North Korean leader's apparent trip to Beijing are murky, including which side initiated talks and what was discussed. Neither China nor North Korea have confirmed the trip, but an official with deep knowledge of North Korea told CNN that there was a strong possibility that Kim was in the Chinese capital.

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WNU Editor: China - North Korean relations have been rock-bottom for the past few years .... this is North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's way of making amends before he meets South Korean President Moon in the next few weeks, and (maybe) President Trump in May. He is also there to assess the level of Chinese support for his position .... especially if the talks fail.

Commentaries, Analysis, And Observations On North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un's Trip To China

Kim Jong Un May Be in China. What Does That Mean for Trump? -- Gordon G. Chang, National Interest
Analysis: NKorean visit shows China still has role to play -- Washington Post
Here's What a Kim Jong Un Visit to Beijing Would Mean for the U.S. -- Charlie Campbell, Time
Why would Kim Jong Un catch a mystery train to China? -- CBS News
Kim Jong-un Makes his First Pilgrimage to China—Maybe -- Doug Bandow, National Interest
China's censors, investors swoop as Kim rumours rage -- AFP
What Kim Jong-un May Get in Reaching Out to China -- New York Times
High profile visit from North Korea likely aimed to reaffirm ties with China -- Jennie Oh, UPI
Where Is Kim Jong Un? North Korean Leader in Beijing, Reports Say -- Newsweek
How a North Korean visit to China raises the stakes for the Kim-Trump summit -- The Telegraph
Mystery train departs Beijing with no official word on whether Kim Jong Un was on it — and it's a big win for North Korea -- Alex Lockie, Business Insider
Was Kim aboard mysterious train to China? 'Strong possibility' North Korean leader has made his first visit to Beijing after train made a quick round trip -- Daily Mail