Chinese President Xi Jinping Expresses Concern Over North Korea’s Rhetoric

Global consensus is that China holds the most leverage over the Kim regime. As tensions rise, the international community follows every word from top leaders, especially those in China. While not specifically mentioning North Korea, President Xi Jinping noted, “No one should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gains.” International scrutiny should emphasize common development rather than an arena for fighting, Xi also suggested. “Chinese officials, who value stability above all else, are unlikely to abandon North Korea anytime soon,” reports William Wan for the Washington Post. “But sensing an opening amid Chinese frustrations, the Obama administration is trying to push Beijing to take a much stronger stance against the renegade country than it has in the past.” South Korea and allies stand ready to defend the North’s closest neighbor. China and the US, the world’s top economies, both desire regional stability, and increasingly seem of the same mind in handling North Korean belligerence. – YaleGlobal