President Trump’s historic meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un may be the breakthrough in relations with the rogue nuclear nation, that so many US presidents before him had hoped for, but failed to accomplish.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has just weighed in with his reaction to the news of a possible President Trump and Kim Jong Un meeting…

 Washington Examiner – President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on the phone Friday about North Korea, the White House said just one day after revealing Trump had accepted an invitation to meet in person with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.Trump and Xi discussed “recent developments related to North Korea,” the White House noted in a summary of the phone call.”The two leaders welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and committed to maintaining pressure and sanctions until North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization,” the White House said. “President Trump expressed his hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might choose a brighter path for North Korea’s future.”

Axios – Beijing is pleased with the news that President Trump accepted an offer to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Geng Huang called it “a step in the right direction,” Xinhua reports.

What I’m hearing: Chinese officials were not aware that Kim had suggested to the South Koreans he was willing to sit down with Trump, but they will be happy at the prospect that lowered tensions may be on the horizon.

The big question: Trump has softened his approach to China because he has wanted their assistance in the “maximum pressure” campaign against North Korea. If a direct channel with Pyongyang is established, will Beijing still have all those cards to play against the U.S.?

Reality check: The location will matter. The Joint Security Area in the Korean Demilitarized Zone near Panmunjom seems like an obvious venue. Beijing may be happy to host, but Kim is unlikely to want to allow the Chinese to take any credit.

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