Relations between China and North Korea remained strained in December, particularly given North Korea’s latest ICBM test. However, diplomatic developments and media discourse suggested a renewed possibility for progress toward a negotiated solution to the North Korean nuclear issue.

From Beijing’s perspective, it is effectively hoping for and supporting the most advantageous solution (multilateral negotiations) while preparing for the least (the outbreak of war and a refugee crisis).

60-day pause

The prolonged pause in provocative actions by North Korea, which lasted through China’s 19th Party Congress, was noted in Chinese