Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to North Korea appears to have solidified China's crucial role in regional stability and its economic importance to Pyongyang, according to analysts. Xi and Kim Jong-un reached a 'critical consensus' during the visit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korea may have helped cement China’s “indispensable” role in ensuring regional stability and highlighted its importance to his host’s economy, analysts said. The Chinese president wrapped up his visit on Tuesday afternoon after reaching what he said was a “critical consensus” with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Xi told a lunch at the Kumsusan State Guest House that he was ready to work with Kim to to “jointly guide China-North Korea relations...