Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the U.S. to change its "hostile policy" toward North Korea during talks in Seoul [1].
The demand highlights China's effort to position itself as a primary mediator in the region while criticizing American diplomatic strategies toward Pyongyang.
Wang Yi met with officials in Seoul on Aug. 19, 2026 [1], to discuss the ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula. During the meetings, Wang said that Washington must change its hostile policy on Pyongyang [2]. He framed the current U.S. approach as a barrier to regional stability.
The Chinese diplomat emphasized that Beijing remains a stabilizing force in the area. "China is always committed to playing a constructive role in the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula," Wang said [2].
Beijing's push for a less confrontational U.S. stance comes as China seeks to promote peaceful coexistence between North and South Korea [1]. By urging a policy shift, China aims to reinforce its influence over the peninsula's security architecture, a role it views as essential for regional peace.
Wang's visit to South Korea serves as a diplomatic signal to both the U.S. and North Korea. He said that China will play a constructive role for peace on the Korean Peninsula [3]. This commitment underscores Beijing's desire to avoid sudden escalations that could destabilize its neighboring border.
The discussions in Seoul took place amid broader international efforts to revive diplomacy with North Korea [1]. Wang's remarks suggest that China believes the responsibility for the current diplomatic deadlock lies primarily with the United States.
“"Washington must change its hostile policy on Pyongyang."”
This diplomatic push indicates that China is attempting to leverage its relationship with North Korea to increase its strategic importance in East Asian security. By framing the U.S. as the aggressor, Beijing seeks to justify its own support for Pyongyang while presenting itself as the only power capable of maintaining long-term stability on the peninsula.
