By Using North Korea and Iran, Beijing Seeks to Divert Attention From Hong Kong Mass Protests

President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping shake hands prior to a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 8, 2017. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Commentary

Beijing unexpectedly announced on June 17 that Chinese leader Xi Jinping will go to North Korea on June 20, the first state visit to North Korea by a Chinese head of state in 14 years.