China's goal in Trump-Kim talks: Ensuring that they don't collapse

China has claimed credit for the shift toward dialogue, saying that both the US and North Korea had effectively adhered to its call for a dual suspension of provocations

For much of the past year, China has repeatedly -- sometimes with exasperation -- called on the U.S. and North Korea to sit down and chat. Now the goal is to ensure they keep talking.

President Xi Jinping backed Donald Trump’s surprise decision to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying a diplomatic solution is the best way to resolve the situation. The U.S. president praised Xi over the weekend, saying he’s “helped us a lot” on North Korea. Xi is set to meet with a South Korean envoy who brokered the talks on Monday.

The detente temporarily removes one