{"id":4259,"date":"2019-07-02T17:16:50","date_gmt":"2019-07-02T08:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.01.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=4259"},"modified":"2019-07-04T18:46:08","modified_gmt":"2019-07-04T09:46:08","slug":"residents-sanctions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2019\/07\/politics\/residents-sanctions\/","title":{"rendered":"\uff1cNorth Korea\uff1e Fruitless Face-to-Face: Residents See No End to Sanctions Despite \u2018Historic\u2019 Xi Jinping Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chinese President Xi Jinping looked relaxed when meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Beijing for the first time in March, 2018. (As originally broadcast by North Korea\u2019s Korean Central News Agency)<\/p><\/div>\n

On June 20, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited North Korea for the first time. The same day, a reporting partner living in the northern region of the country spoke with ASIAPRESS, giving insight into the atmosphere of the country and how the Chinese leader\u2019s visit was received by the people. (Kang Ji-won\/ISHIMARU Jiro)<\/p>\n

\u201cThis visit by Xi Jinping is historic. It is no less historic than the summit with the United States. Heads of state from big countries like the United States, Japan, and China have not visited our country. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is not on their level.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the reporting partner, Workers\u2019 Party officials in Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, expressed this view, speaking very highly of Xi Jinping\u2019s visit. However, it is simply the \u2018official view\u2019.<\/p>\n

What, though, is the reaction of the general population? In the words of the reporting partner, \u201cThere are many who say they hope improved relations with China will make life easier than it is now. However, there is not a growing sense of anticipation.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the contrary, traders reacted \u201ccoldly\u201d to President Xi\u2019s visit.
\nNext page : The reporting partner continued...<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Kim Jong-un with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 20, welcoming him to North Korea on his first ever state visit. As originally broadcast by China Central Television.<\/p><\/div>\n

The reporting partner continued, \u201cOf course, those who are engaged in trading are well aware of how the sanctions are structured. They say it is impossible to activate trade with China, especially as the U.S. is overseeing the sanctions. Xi Jinping can\u2019t possibly solve the problem with the United States by himself or with short state visits to the North. Traders don\u2019t expect lots of support or for restrictions on smuggling to become a bit more relaxed. They are pessimistic.\u201d<\/p>\n

The traders\u2019 outlook is not unreasonable. After the breakdown of talks with the US at the Hanoi Summit in late February, expectations of an end to the sanctions soared. Though Kim Jong-un has visited China four times so far for talks with President Xi, there has still been no relief.<\/p>\n

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