Tong Zhao

This visit highlights China's unique influence and makes it easier for China to showcase its potential contribution in helping move the denuclearization diplomacy forward, if China's mediation can prove helpful, it would also help demonstrate the usefulness of China to the United States as a constructive partner over key regional issues.

This would help create the largest breathing space for North Korea and give Kim the best chance for achieving his goal of keeping nuclear weapons and growing the economy simultaneously.

A stronger tie with Beijing can help North Korea put pressure on Washington and help Kim secure favorable results in upcoming negotiations with Trump.

China has always wanted to maintain a normal and stable relationship with North Korea. China has no disagreements with North Korea in any issue area except nuclear, china had to respond strongly to North Korea's acceleration of nuclear development -- China had to join the rest of the international community to impose sanctions that really impacted North Korea.

There is even an extreme concern within the strategic Chinese community that maybe Duyeon Kim will accept North Korea as Duyeon Kim ally, or at least a friendly country.

Both countries want to improve relations, but THAAD is still the most critical barrier for the relationship to go forward.

The system has already achieved initial operation capability, short of a major improvement in the North-South (Korea) relationship or the US-North Korea relationship, I don't see how Seoul can argue for the US to withdraw the system or even suspend its functioning.

China can be more flexible, instead of insisting on the withdrawal of this system, China can accept some technical modifications to the system and make it less threatening to the country's nuclear deterrent.

China will be greatly displeased. by Tong Zhao

China will be greatly displeased.

I still believe Moon Jae-in faces major difficulties in reversing the THAAD deployment, or even making any kind of modifications.

I think that's a real message because the submarine carries 150 something cruise missiles, and it's a very powerful striking force, it's hard to predict how North Korea will respond.

Being called a weak leader (by a US president), I think, this is the first time I remember hearing it. It could potentially provoke North Korea ... Being called weak will only encourage them to appear more strong.

The stakes are much higher -- the US believes that it is facing a critical juncture where North Korea is about to obtain a nuclear capability against the US homeland.