Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to define North Korea's 70th anniversary

As North Korea celebrates a major anniversary this weekend the presence or absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping could highlight just how much vitality has been restored to ties between Pyongyang and its most powerful backer after a prolonged chill A visit by Xi to North Korea for the 70th anniversary of the Norths founding on Sunday is expected North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made three trips to China since March this year and has invited Xi to reciprocate but neither side has said whether Xi will attendChina could be keen to demonstrate the strong ties it has with Pyongyang to ensure it remains a key player in efforts to dismantle the Norths nuclear program But the celebrations come as President Donald Trump has blamed Beijing for the slow progress of denuclearizationBelow is a look at issues affecting ties between the allies Trump suggests that China has been encouraging North Korea to drag its feet with denuclearization to gain leverage against the US in a trade dispute that has seen both sides levelling tariffs on USD 50 billion of each others products On Wednesday he tweeted that North Korea is under tremendous pressure from China because of our major trade disputes with the Chinese government adding This is not helpful China wasnt having any of itForeign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Washington should engage in selfreflection and stop flipflopping and blaming others Regarding Americas attempts to pass the buck Im sorry wed rather not accept Hua told reporters China has already distanced itself somewhat from its significant cooperation with the US on North Korea After supporting tough UN sanctions and scaling back trade with the North after it ramped up nuclear and missile tests last year Beijing has eased the pressure on its neighbor slightlyNo Chinese head of state has visited North Korea since President Hu Jintao met with Kims father Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang in 2005 a time when Beijing was urging Pyongyang to reform its economy and take part in sixnation denuclearization talks When the younger Kim took power in 2011 exchanges slowed as Kim sought to assert his independence and China grew impatient with Kims nuclear and missile tests Ties frayed last year when China supported tougher UN sanctions on Pyongyang and suspended coal and iron ore importsThat made Kims three visits to China this year all the more striking a sign that the relationship was back on track A visit on such a symbolic occasion would underscore the unique historical ties between the two countries ruling parties Mao Zedong sent Chinese troops to aid the North after the Korean War began in 1950 setting up a relationship once described as being as close as lips and teethXi would also use the opportunity to reassert Chinas claim to a place at the table when key decisions are made concerning Pyongyangs relationships with both Washington and South Korea including over a possible formal end to the Korean War Beijing is determined to ensure its interests are honored especially its desire to maintain the viability of Kims regime and keep US and South Korean forces far from its borderBy going Xi would reduce the sense that China is being excluded from any diplomacy going forward said John Delury a North Korea expert at Yonsei University in Seoul I think Beijing is worried that North Korea will go its own way and work out new relationships with Washington and Seoul and move out of Chinas orbit If Xi were absent from the celebration it could be a sign that China was displeased with North Koreas lack of progress with denuclearization analysts saidIt would be a strong signal if Xi did not go said Michael Kovrig senior adviser for Northeast Asia at the International Crisis Group indicating that North Korea has a lot to do to get back in Chinas good graces But China could send a member of the ruling Communist Partys allpowerful Politburo Standing Committee such as Premier Li Keqiang to show that ties were still on track Kovrig saidXi may stay away for more practical reasons as well With China committed to UN economic sanctions on the North it may be looking for real signs of progress toward denuclearization before giving up any political capital For China all actions should serve the interests of denuclearization and a visit by Xi will depend on whether there is an agreement on this said Guo Rui a North Korea expert at Jilin University in northeast ChinaKims visits to Beijing displayed all the customary pomp and circumstance bestowed on his father and grandfather A separate visit to the northern port of Dalian showed the two leaders strolling along the beach and chatting amid lush gardens all apparently intended to imply a warm personal relationship between themDiplomats say Beijing continues to implement UN sanctions covering exports of coal iron ore seafood and other products In one area not covered by the sanctions however it seems to be cutting Pyongyang some slack tourism Recent visitors to North Korea say numbers of Chinese visitors have exploded in recent months with busloads turning up at key spots such as the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas and Mount Paektu that touches the countrys border with ChinaChina is likely advertising the potential benefits of North Korean compliance further down the line China has a strategy of trying to prevent North Korea from straying too far Delury said This relationship is full of mutual distrust but they keep it within certain boundsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever