Chinese win-win olive branch to Trump

After a surprisingly fast decision making process, China has suspended all imports of coal from North Korea. Coal makes up most of North Korea's foreign exports, and China is the biggest consumer. The move was announced by the Chinese commerce ministry and is believed to be part of the U.N. mandated sanctions against North Korea. The ban started on Feb. 19 and will be effective for the rest of the year.

Accordingly, a shipment of North Korean coal worth around $1 million was rejected at Wenzhou port on China's eastern coast, as reported by the South Korean news agency. The act comes amidst international concern over North's missile program. As far back as last April, China made it clear that it would follow the international community and ban North Korea coal imports with regards to the missile program of Pyongyang. However, despite the restrictions, North Korea as recently as last year was still China's fourth biggest supplier of coal.

This is by far the clearest symbol that there's normalization in process after Trump's debut as President of United States and is a clear indication of a thaw between China and United States.

What however is indicative is the olive branch being held out by China to Trump. Readers remember that one of the primary issues during Trump's campaign was his argument that China hasn't helped the United States in dealing with North Korea. That's simply not true, and China, along with Russia, has been a fundamental partner in negotiations with North Korea.

Donald Trump and the U.S. administration have repeatedly said that "China has total control" over North Korea. It's therefore a U.S. policy position that China should take the initiative in finding a solution to the periodic bouts of crisis that plagues this region. China, on the other hand, has repeatedly talked about its opposition to THAAD missile defense shield in South Korea, which they claim exacerbates the security situation in the peninsula.

There is therefore a positive chance of finding common ground. It also highlights that regardless of whether two powers are allied or antagonistic, there is always common ground to be reached when it comes to state and common national interests. If a G2 grand bargain could be reached in Asia Pacific, then that would immediately cool down the situation of the most important trade region in the world. If Donald Trump has any prudence, he won't miss this opportunity or ignore this highly symbolic action from the Chinese side.

Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm

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