核開発の進行にともなって疎遠（というよりは険悪）となっていた中国と北朝鮮の関係改善の動きがありました。
このような動きに対して、英国経済誌The Economistは、"Kim Jong Un visits China:But the unannounced visit still leaves the prospects for nuclear talks obscure"（キムジョンウンが中国を訪問：核協議の見通しは依然として曖昧なまま）と題する記事を掲載しました。
今回の中朝会談を開催した中国側の意図については、北東アジア地域における中心的役割を担うのが中国であり、北朝鮮の核開発によって、対立関係の一歩手前までいった両国関係の改善を図ったものと分析しています。
The trip affirms China’s central role in keeping the peace in the region after a flurry of diplomatic activity had shifted the focus to South Korea and the United States. Relations between China and what it used to refer to as its “little brother” have been severely strained by Mr Kim’s nuclear-weapons programme. Last year Mr Xi gave a warning that “no country can afford to retreat into self-isolation”—widely seen as a dig at Mr Kim. When the Chinese president sent a special envoy to North Korea, Mr Kim refused to meet him. But straining does not mean breaking. This time the tone of Mr Xi’s speech of welcome was emollient. Xinhua, China’s news agency, quoted him saying “we speak highly of this visit” and referring to “the major efforts that North Korea has made” towards improving the situation on the Korean peninsula. In communist diplomacy, it seems, old habits die hard.
一方、北朝鮮の意図については、韓国、米国と首脳会談を行う予定の北朝鮮にとって、中国と対立している余裕がなく、特に、米国との危険な外交に臨むに当たって、重要な同盟国及び財政支援国として、中国が後ろ盾になってくれることを臨んでいると分析しています。
Seen from the North Korean perspective, Mr Kim’s visit looks like an attempt to reassure himself that his country’s most important ally and main financial backer remains behind him as he begins a risky period of diplomacy. In late April Mr Kim is due to hold a summit meeting with South Korea’s president, Moon Jae-in, to be followed by the one with Mr Trump, probably in May. In Beijing he confirmed that both meetings would take place. The trip came days before North and South Korean officials were scheduled to make final preparations for the summit with Mr Moon. Mr Kim cannot afford to be wrangling with China just now.
自国の利益のために、互いに互いを利用し合うという外交の現実をまざまざと見せつけてくれるような事件です。