The recent summit between Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un has been characterized as a significant success for North Korea, according to experts. Edward Howell, a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Oxford, noted that the meeting did not address North Korea's nuclear program or the issue of denuclearization. This omission suggests that China, much like Russia, is tacitly accepting North Korea's status as a nuclear weapons state. Howell's analysis indicates a shift in diplomatic dynamics, where major powers are recognizing North Korea's nuclear capabilities without demanding disarmament, thus solidifying its position on the global stage.