Kim Jong-un emerges as the cleverest player

The recent summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been widely acknowledged as a success, with even Western pundits conceding that both leaders "appear to have walked away with what they wanted," according to Bloomberg.

While Xi Jinping has recently held the upper hand in meetings with other global leaders due to China's rising influence and its avoidance of damaging conflicts, his meeting with Kim Jong-un carried significant stakes. These included Tokyo's remilitarization, Manila's strengthened military cooperation with Washington, the enduring South Korean-U.S. alliance, and Taiwan's move toward secessionism, all pointing to a revitalized U.S.-led containment strategy against China.

Ostensibly the junior partner, Kim Jong-un proved indispensable. He underscored the importance of ties with China, calling them "the most important top priority" and reaffirming Beijing as his principal backer. Simultaneously, he has cultivated options with Moscow, demonstrating strategic flexibility.

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appear to have walked away with what they wanted

Xi Jinping's visit notably omitted any discussion of nuclear disarmament. Some commentators interpret this as China's tacit endorsement of North Korea's status as a nuclear power. However, this gesture appears more symbolic than a substantial policy shift, drawing parallels to the West's long-standing acceptance of Israel's nuclear ambiguity.

The article contrasts the outcomes: a nuclear-armed Israel has pursued regional dominance, while a nuclear-armed North Korea, contrary to Western narratives, is presented as a stabilizing factor in the Asia-Pacific. Beijing, which might have previously used denuclearization demands as a bargaining chip, now faces a situation where even the West lacks a strong argument against North Korea's nuclear weapons possession.

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ties with China are the most important top priority