BEIJING: As North Korea celebrates a major anniversary this weekend, the presence or absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping could highlight just how much vitality has been restored to ties between Pyongyang and its most powerful backer after a prolonged chill. A visit by Xi to North Korea for the 70th anniversary of the North’s founding on Sunday is expected North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made three trips to China since March this year and has invited Xi to reciprocate but neither side has said whether Xi will attend.
China could be keen to demonstrate the strong ties it has with Pyongyang to ensure it remains a key player in efforts to dismantle the North’s nuclear programme. But the celebrations come as President Donald Trump has blamed Beijing for the slow progress of denuclearisation. A look at issues affecting ties between the allies:
Trump suggests that China has been encouraging North Korea to drag its feet with denuclearisation to gain leverage against the US in a trade dispute that has seen both sides leveling tariffs on $50 billion of each other’s products. Last week, he tweeted that North Korea “is under tremendous pressure from China because of our major trade disputes with the Chinese government,” adding, “This is not helpful!” China wasn’t having any of it. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Washington should “engage in self-reflection and stop flip-flopping and blaming others.” “Regarding America’s attempts to pass the buck, I’m sorry, we’d rather not accept,” Hua told reporters.
No Chinese head of state has visited North Korea since President Hu Jintao met with Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang in 2005, a time when Beijing was urging the North to reform its economy and take part in six-nation denuclearisation talks.
When the younger Kim took power in 2011, exchanges slowed as Kim sought to assert his independence and China grew impatient with Kim’s nuclear and missile tests. Ties frayed last year when China supported tougher UN sanctions on Pyongyang and suspended coal and iron ore imports. That made Kim’s three visits to China this year all the more striking, a sign that the relationship was back on track. A visit on such a symbolic occasion would underscore the unique historical ties between the two countries’ ruling parties.
Mao Zedong sent Chinese troops to aid the North after the Korean War began in 1950, setting up a relationship once described as being “as close as lips and teeth.” Xi would also use the opportunity to reassert China’s claim to a place at the table when key decisions are made concerning Pyongyang’s relationships with both Washington and South Korea, including over a possible formal end to the Korean War. Beijing is determined to ensure its interests are honoured, especially its desire to maintain the viability of Kim’s regime and keep US and South Korean forces far from its border.
“By going, Xi would reduce the sense that China is being excluded from any diplomacy going forward,” said John Delury, a North Korea expert at Yonsei University in Seoul. “I think Beijing is worried that North Korea will go its own way and work out new relationships with Washington and Seoul and move out of China’s orbit.”
If Xi were absent from the celebration, it could be a sign that China was displeased with North Korea’s lack of progress with denuclearisation, analysts said.
It “would be a strong signal” if Xi did not go, said Michael Kovrig, senior adviser for Northeast Asia at the International Crisis Group, indicating that “North Korea has a lot to do to get back in China’s good graces.”
But China could send a member of the ruling Communist Party’s all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee such as Premier Li Keqiang to show that ties were still on track, Kovrig said.
Xi may stay away for more practical reasons as well. With China committed to UN economic sanctions on the North, it may be looking for real signs of progress towards denuclearisation before giving up any political capital.
“For China, all actions should serve the interests of denuclearisation and a visit by Xi will depend on whether there is an agreement on this,” said Guo Rui, a North Korea expert at Jilin University in northeast China.
The Comprehensive kit set the standard for backcountry medical care over 20 years ago and continues to do so today. Group leaders will find everything they need to care for a large group on an extended trip in easily accessible, injury specific compartments, thanks to the Easy Care organization system. Key features include a fold-out organization panel for medications, a detachable Ultralight/Watertight summit kit featuring DryFlex technology, and supplies to treat basic and advanced illnesses and trauma, including: Glutose Gel, dental repair items, a scalpel, oral rehydration salts, a sterile scrub brush, and numerous bandages and dressings.
The back bar at Swift’s Attic carries more than 100 different whiskeys, ranging from bourbon to Japanese whisky to Scotch and more. Photo: American-Statesman Staff
On the heels of its successful raffle of the only 50 bottles of $249.99 Russell bourbon in the state, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control has announced it will raffle off the chance to purchase five types of limited-release bourbons on Nov. 1.
The contest will begin at 6 p.m. and entries will be collected for 90 minutes, according to a Ohio Department of Commerce bulletin.
There can be only one entry per person. Winners must must be present to purchase and have a valid ID.
Description: Old Fitzgerald 9 Year releases fire on all cylinders from the start. Powerful nose led by salted caramel, barrel char and the aroma of mint. There’s a hint of banana in the mix, which comes through after the whiskey has had time to open up in the glass for a while.
The sip is chewy and mouth-filling, in keeping with the bottled in bond style, starting with a rush of spice, more caramel, and a crème brulee note. All of this is spiked with hints of that furniture polish character that is typical of Old Fitz.
Description: Wheated bourbons are all about sweetness and no bitterness. Caramel runs through this like a river, with eddies of vanilla, mint, toast, mocha and pancake syrup. It has a nice but not overpowering char and oak, a little cinnamon, raspberry, blackberry and raisin. The scents include lanolin, almond oil and creamed corn. Its deep bronze color has been described to "beautifully reflect the light" with the "high-spirited, lusciously toasty, and animated bouquet that has top-notch Bourbon written all over it; a dry, complex, and toasty palate.” Weller 12 is $28.00 plus tax.
Description: Parker's Heritage 12 Edition has soft classic scents of vanilla, hay, and light oak blend together. On the surface it doesn’t seem overly complex, but digging deeper there’s raisin, light green apple, and a smidge of cinnamon and brown sugar mixed together.
]The scents mingle extremely well together and present a solid start to this bourbon. The sip provides a nice creamy viscous mouthfeel. Delicious syrupy sweet vanilla, raisins, a dab of lavender infused honey, and a touch of butterscotch. Even though it’s a 100 proof bourbon, there’s almost no burn which allows you to savor this for a while. It’s gentle yet full of flavor and simply put, fantastic.
Description: Rye is supposed to cut corn's sweetness for a drier whiskey, but Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel leads with sweet. The rye presents as floridly floral (think lilacs) and spicy (think basil and oregano), but always the sweetness, flowing beneath it all, like syrup made from sour fruit.
The nose brings notes of clover, vanilla and old leather. The flavor balances fruit, honey and vanilla with a light spiciness with a long and warm finish.
Description: With a rich mahogany color, initially you will find a singular focus, with a pronounced rich dark cherry cobbler note. It then opens into a dynamic build of caramel and dark chocolate covered smoked almond nuttiness with hints of charred oak; a touch of herbal lemon tea, sweetened with a touch of honey rounds out its depth of character.
Subtle sweetness blossoms into a warm and green spiced multi-dimensional experience, brightened by a lemon honey note followed by cherry cobbler. The finish is long and drying, with an herbal lemon honey sweetness.