U.S.-China Summit & North Korea
Duyeon Kim | Jan 19, 2011 |
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2011.1.19 President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao's Joint Press Conference
As expected, the joint statement produced by Presidents Obama and Hu was not ground-breaking on the North Korean issue. It is hard to say that there were any substantially new achievements. However, it was still a positive outcome with some meaningful points because it reflected both sides’ positions on contentious issues (regardless of an agreement), and it generally kept in line with the position of Washington’s allies.
Washington and Beijing agreed on some key points in general and in principle, but many of those key points are reaffirmation of each other’s original positions. The language is also heavily nuanced, which is normal in public diplomatic rhetoric. It appears Beijing has not steered far away from its original stance, and we can still see that Washington and Beijing hold differing views on those same key points.
KEY POINTS
Here’s a run-down of some initial thoughts on points that stand out: (Click "read more")
Obama, Hu Jintao, summit, joint statement, North Korea (all tags)
Obama & Hu: Hit or Miss
Duyeon Kim | Jan 18, 2011 | 0 
2009. 11.17 President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao Ahead of Summit (AP)
Opinions are split on whether one should hope that Wednesday’s U.S.-China summit will help jumpstart diplomacy on the long dead-locked North Korean issue. Will it be clouded by other pressing issues like the economy? Does the U.S. have leverage? Will China move on North Korea? Will the summit end in symbolic formalities or tangible results?
But the reality is that this is perhaps the Obama administration’s only real chance to make a difference since both countries will soon begin preparations for leadership transitions in 2012. The most effective way to move Beijing is to persuade the Chinese president himself by an American president, head-to-head.
The summit’s joint statement will provide essential clues about the direction of diplomacy on North Korea. But the two leaders are walking into the summit oceans apart on some key points on mechanics. (Click "read more")
