Weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office and amid continuing political tensions in South Korea, China continues to keep its focus on North Korea’s nuclear program while considering how it might best pursue denuclearization, as well as other interests, with future administrations in the White House and Blue House.

Chinese observers maintain optimistic about the country’s opportunity to shape the international response to North Korea’s provocations, though questions are being raised in some quarters, while others lament the possibility of future nuclear tests in the coming year.

CHINA MOVES TO IMPLEMENT RESOLUTION