China on Friday refuted US President Donald Trump’s remarks hinting that President Xi Jinping had a role in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un having a change of mind over Korean peace talks, and said its intentions are “above board”.
“I think there was a change in attitude from Kim Jong-un after his meeting with Xi. There was a difference after Kim Jong un left China the second time. President Xi is a world class poker player,” Trump said three days ago, casting doubts on China’s role leading up to the cancellation of his summit with Kim planned for next month in Singapore.
“Maybe nothing happened, I’m not blaming anybody. But there was a different attitude from the North Korean folks after that second meeting” between Xi and Kim, Trump said stressing that he has a good personal relationship with the Chinese president. Kim made his first visit to China on March 27 as he warmed up to Trump’s overtures with direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang.But after agreeing for a summit meeting with Trump, he again made a surprise second visit to China on May 8 and held a Wuhan-style summit with Xi which the US president says has changed the North Korean dictator’s mind.