We watched the footage tonight covering Wen's arrival in Pyongyang on television while eating dinner in a restaurant.
Grandpa Wen, in his western suit, met Kim, in his regulation khaki outfit, shook hands, and then the two had an awkward embrace, and then another one, as Wen wrapped his arms around Kim.
Talk about a forced moment.
But Kim meeting Wen at the tarmac was giving big face to China. Lining the streets were thousands of well-wishers, dressed up and waving bunches of fake bright pink and fuchsia flowers.
Nevertheless, Wen is trying to persuade Kim that a non-nuclear Korean peninsula is in everyone's best interests. Korea watchers think that Kim's presence at the airport seems to indicate his willingness to get back to the table in earnest, and China has apparently promised some economic aid.
Perhaps Kim is hoping this will eventually lead to him having a meeting with Barack Obama... which may be when the real negotiations begin.
We can only hope this plays out with a win-win situation... for everyone's sake.
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1 comment:
i like wen's silent and gentle diplomacy nice and kind personality.
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