US President Donald Trump met Kim three times during Trump’s first term, before the unprecedented diplomatic effort broke down over US demands that North Korea give up nuclear weapons. Trump has said he would be willing to restart talks.
“While it is highly likely that the leaders of China and North Korea would confer before Kim might meet Trump again, it is doubtful that Xi will serve as a catalyst for US-North Korea talks,” said Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.
China is North Korea’s biggest trade partner and analysts have said the Xi trip is likely to be about trade and tourism.
It was not clear if the leaders would hold more talks on Tuesday. South Korean media reported that Xi is expected to visit the Sino-Korean Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, commemorating Chinese soldiers who died in the Korean War.
Xi is expected to fly back to China on Tuesday afternoon, with a large farewell ceremony and honour guard likely at the airport, the Yonhap News Agency reported.
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