context: North Korean top leader Kim Jong-un visited China 25-28 March. Zhou Xin reflects on China's relevance in this Global Times editorial.
Since the beginning of this year, notes Zhou Xin 周信 Global Times commentator, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has undergone major changes that exceed many's expectations. For a time, he writes, various theories—'China is useless,' 'China has been marginalised' and 'Chinese diplomacy has failed'—have emerged. Some people even claim that the situation has never been more awkward than than it is now.
Zhou refutes this in 'three sentences'
- China has always played an important role in promoting the resolution of the Peninsula issue and denuclearisation
- China persists in persuading peace talks, dialogue and consultation, always guiding the correct direction of the settlement of the Peninsula issue
- the traditional friendship between China and North Korea has always been a firm strategic choice of both
Zhou recites Kim Jong-un's pledge in talks with Xi that 'if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts in good faith, creating a peaceful and stable atmosphere and adopting periodic and simultaneous measures to achieve peace, the issue of denuclearisation on the Peninsula can be resolved'.
We should have more confidence, Zhou repeats, in the 'good practice and good tradition of adhering to the resolution of issues through dialogue and consultation', which are distinctive features of China's diplomacy.