If confirmed, it would mark Kim's first trip abroad since coming to power in 2011 and signal an intriguing twist in a fast-developing diplomatic exercise that has opened the door to separate summits between Kim and the presidents of South Korea and the United States. Some analysts had suggested China -- the North's only major ally -- had been sidelined by the overtures from Pyongyang to Seoul and Washington, but a visit by Kim would put Beijing firmly back at the centre of the diplomatic equation. Bill Bishop, publisher of the Sinocism China Newsletter, said President Xi Jinping likely wanted to meet with Kim before a summit with US President Donald Trump, which could take place in May. "They're concerned about being left out, with the North Koreans directly cutting a deal with the Americans that doesn't necessarily reflect Chinese interests," Bishop told AFP. A possible visit was first reported by … [Read more...] about Speculation rife over surprise Kim Jong Un visit to Beijing
Kim jong un
North Korea leader Kim Jong Un visits China: Bloomberg
BEIJING - North Korea leader Kim Jong Un has visited China, Bloomberg reported on Monday citing three unnamed sources, in what would be his first known overseas trip since taking power in 2011 and ahead of a potential summit with US President Donald Trump. Details of his visit including its purpose and itinerary were not yet known, Bloomberg said. Japanese media reported earlier on Monday that a high-ranking Pyongyang official appeared to have arrived by train in Beijing. Kyodo, citing sources close to the matter, said the visit of the official was intended to improve ties between Beijing and Pyongyang that have been frayed by North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and China's backing of tough sanctions against North Korea at the United Nations Security Council. The visit could not immediately be confirmed by Reuters. Beijing has traditionally been the closest ally of secretive and isolated North Korea. But Kim is due to hold summit meetings separately with China's rivals, South … [Read more...] about North Korea leader Kim Jong Un visits China: Bloomberg
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is said to make surprise China visit
BEIJING (BLOOMBERG) - Kim Jong Un has made a surprise visit to Beijing on his first known trip outside North Korea since taking power in 2011, three people with knowledge of the visit said. Further details of the visit, including how long Kim would stay and who he would meet, were not immediately available. The people asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the information. A special train may have carried Kim through the north-eastern Chinese border city of Dandong, Japan's Kyodo News said earlier. Nippon TV showed footage of a train arriving Monday in Beijing that looked similar to one used by Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, to visit the Chinese capital shortly before his death in 2011. The unannounced move follows US President Donald Trump's decision this month to grant an unprecedented meeting to Kim, after South Korean officials said Kim was willing to discuss giving up his nuclear weapons programme. Diplomats from the US, North Korea and its neighbours have since been … [Read more...] about North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is said to make surprise China visit
Kim Jong Un reportedly makes history with first-ever visit to China as head of state
source Reuters North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un is in Beijing, Bloomberg News quoted three sources as saying on Monday. The report comes after a mysterious train journey in which a high-security train left North Korea and arrived in Beijing to a locked-down station. The trip was followed by the emergence of a massive motorcade. If Kim is in Beijing, it would mark the first time he’s left North Korea since becoming supreme leader in 2011, and a historic departure from years of deteriorating relations with China. This is a developing story. … [Read more...] about Kim Jong Un reportedly makes history with first-ever visit to China as head of state
North Korea leader Kim Jong Un visits China
BEIJING: North Korea leader Kim Jong Un has visited China, Bloomberg reported on Monday citing three unnamed sources, in what would be his first known overseas trip since taking power in 2011 and ahead of a potential summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.Details of his visit including its purpose and itinerary were not yet known, Bloomberg said. Japanese media reported earlier on Monday that a high-ranking Pyongyang official appeared to have arrived by train in Beijing.Kyodo, citing sources close to the matter, said the visit of the official was intended to improve ties between Beijing and Pyongyang that have been frayed by North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and China's backing of tough sanctions against North Korea at the United Nations Security Council.The visit could not immediately be confirmed by Reuters.Footage from Nippon News Network, owned by Nippon TV, showed what an announcer described as a green train carriage with yellow horizontal lines, part of a 21-car train, … [Read more...] about North Korea leader Kim Jong Un visits China