Xi seeks better ties with new South Korean president – China’s latest political and current affairs news
A summary of the top news in Chinese politics and current affairs for July 6, 2017. Part of the daily The China Project newsletter, a convenient package of China’s business, political, and cultural news delivered to your inbox for free. Subscribe here.
The top stories on all central state media websites for July 6 are about President Xi Jinping meeting his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in ahead of a G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. According to Xinhua News Agency, Xi said that “China would like to join South Korea in bringing bilateral ties back to the track of healthy development.” The Chinese leader also said that he supports the new South Korean administration’s “efforts to restart contact and dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
The Chinese president noted that “for a period of time, China-South Korea relations have been facing difficulties.” Tensions have been high recently over the installation of THAAD, an American missile defense system designed to protect South Korea from attack by its northern neighbor, and there is a history of popular enmity.
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North Korea
China’s strongman has a weak point: North Korea / NYT (paywall)
U.S. diplomat blasts China and Russia for ‘holding the hands’ of North Korean leader / Washington Post -
Europe
China sees opening left by Trump in Europe, and quietly steps in / NYT (paywall)
China loses ‘soft power’ edge ahead of G20 summit / Financial Times (paywall)
Trump confronts German port city that’s already turning to China / Bloomberg -
Military
Inside the Liaoning, the warship with 10 cafeterias, a TV station and even a band / SCMP -
Liu Xiaobo
Liu Xiaobo vigil: Doctors tell Chinese Nobel laureate’s family to prepare for his death / SCMP
