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The Trump summit in Hanoi broke down, but Xi’s Pyongyang visit is set to give Kim political capital – and tonnes of food
- In a state visit this week, the Chinese president is expected to provide massive aid to the North, with reports anticipating at least 100,000 tonnes of food
- International food organisations say 10 million people, or 40 per cent of North Korea’s population, are in urgent need of sustenance
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may have returned empty-handed from the much-touted second summit with United States President Donald Trump, but analysts say the visit of China’s President Xi Jinping to Pyongyang may provide Kim with a much needed political boost – in the form of tonnes of food.
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As is customary with visits to the impoverished state by top Chinese leaders, Xi is widely expected to provide massive humanitarian aid to the North as a gift, with news reports in Seoul speculating that he could offer at least 100,000 tonnes of food.
North Korea is likely to ask for food aid and Xi will probably respond to it positively
“North Korea is likely to ask for food aid and Xi will probably respond to it positively [although this is unlikely to be publicised],” said Professor Yang Moo-jin at Seoul’s University of North Korean Studies.
Xi will visit Pyongyang Thursday and Friday.
While Kim has travelled to China several times over the past year, it will be the first trip to Pyongyang by a Chinese leader in 14 years, since then president Hu Jintao paid a state visit to the North’s capital in 2005.
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