The leaders of China and North Korea wrapped up their fourth summit on Wednesday, bringing to an end an unexpected visit by Kim Jong Un to Beijing that, with the benefit of hindsight, should have surprised no-one.

And, with a second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump looming and Pyongyang increasingly digging in its heels on its demands for a phased, reciprocal approach to denuclearization, the outcome of the Kim-Xi meeting served to remind observers that Beijing remains a critical player in the North Korean issue.

So what to make of Kim’s trip