However, in early May, as Seoul and Pyongyang were nearing final agreement on the details of the summit, North Korea moved to distance itself from Beijing, asking that Li Peng, leader of the National People's Congress, reschedule his visit to Pyongyang. Coming just two weeks before the summit, Kim's sudden visit to Beijing suggests that North Korea and China wish to reorient their relations and the agenda for the summit. Beijing, concerned at Pyongyang's decision to enter into the summit without Chinese guidance, may have pressured Kim into coming - threatening to pull political and economic assistance if he didn't listen to advice. Alternately, Kim may have taken the initiative to travel to Beijing to reassure Pyongyang's key regional partner that he has no intention of abandoning his longtime sponsor, thus ensuring support for whatever transpires at the summit. In either event, Beijing's concern is clear.
China has much to gain and lose on the Korean peninsula.
Such defenses are a direct threat to China's comparatively small strategic arsenal. By helping facilitate reunification, or at least reconciliation, China can shape the future of the peninsula. Absent the cold war legacy of division, Korea's historical orientation is toward China. Regaining these ties would keep Japan at a safe distance. China's leadership sees the opportunity to gain an ally, at most, and a neutral neighbor, at the very least.