The special plane carrying Kim Jong-un - a hidden rivalry between the US and China 0
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived at Singapore’s Changi International Airport on the afternoon of June 10.
At around 3:00 pm on June 10, leader Kim Jong-un landed at Singapore’s Changi International Airport on a Boeing 747 of China National Airlines while the whole world was paying attention to the meeting.
The special plane and the route from Pyongyang to Singapore of the North Korean leader especially caught the attention of observers.
Air China’s Boeing 747, used specifically to transport Chinese leaders, landed first at Changi Airport, while the North Korean Ilyunshin-62M jet that carried Kim Jong-un to Dalian in the past
Nikkei Asia Review commented that Xi Jinping was worried about the possibility that leader Kim Jong-un would `lean in` to the US President and refuse Beijing’s help.
In the past week, Chinese media continuously made comments implying that any declaration to end the war between the two Koreas would become `meaningless` without approval from the other side.
To avoid being marginalized, China took responsibility for ensuring the safety of the North Korean leader on his way to Singapore.
Not only did Beijing lend a special plane, it also sent fighter jets to escort the plane carrying leader Kim Jong-un through Chinese airspace.
In addition, according to observers, on the way leader Kim Jong-un returns, the Chinese national airline’s special plane can `conveniently` stop in Beijing to `conveniently` lead the two countries.
North Korea makes major powers ‘spin like a pinwheel’
Kim Jong-un and Xi Jinping walk on Dalian beach
Kim Jong-un and Xi Jinping walked on Dalian beach, China in May. Source: CCTV.
Despite `using` Chinese aircraft, the North Korean leader proved to be a seasoned politician in deciding the flight route.
This flight route shows that the North Korean leader, despite relying on Beijing’s support, still pays special attention to relationships with other countries in the region such as Vietnam and the Philippines.
The possibility of Kim Jong-un refusing to accept China’s help has essentially been considered.
Observers say that after the historic summit ends, North Korea will continue to dominate international diplomatic forums.
