Hong Kong, June 16 -- A flurry of diplomacy between China, Russia and North Korea continued when Chairman Xi Jinping paid his respects to Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang from 8-9 June. The strategic balance between these three powers is changing shape, and China is tacitly expressing its acceptance of North Korea as a nuclear state.

It is seven years since Xi visited the Hermit Kingdom - his first trip there - and Kim certainly rolled out the red carpet for his neighbour this time. According to state outlets, the relationship between China and North Korea is "as close as lips and teeth," and China is one of the few allies that internationally ostracised North Korea counts upon.

Kim's personal attendance at Xi's military parade in September 202...