Both sides on the Korean Peninsula should realize that neither could destroy the other, and that it is necessary to continue this confrontational peace based on reciprocity and balance, write Shuang Shi and Xiong Lei.

While North Korea has traditionally been a thorn in America’s side, Michael Justin Lee posits that reports Kim Jong-un has resumed the country’s nuclear development program could provide a rare opportunity to boost military-to-military relations between the United States and China, the DPRK’s long-time ally.

Both the Chinese and U.S. governments welcomed last week’s decision of the Noble Prize Committee to award the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) its annual peace prize. However, while Beijing and Washington cooperate on most chemical weapons issues, they do differ on some.

Six decades after the Korean War (1950-53) was ended by the signing of an armistice agreement, the two Koreas are still technically at war. The fragile truce, signed on July 27, 1953, has contributed to the volatility and hostility seen on the Korean Peninsula today.

The recent meeting between South Korean and Chinese officials was welcomed by the United States. However, all parties should remain conscious of the delicate issues at hand, including rising Japanese nationalism, these state of the Chinese economy, the stability of the Korean Peninsula.

While the Xi-Obama Summit was meant to mend US-China relations, Donald Kirk explains the lack of discourse on Asia-Pacific regional issues has only heightened tensions between North and South Korea.

The Xi-Obama summit at Sunnylands will be a focal point for many this weekend. Although competition between the two nations interests is inevitable, cooperation, transparency and mutual reassurance may be hindrances to escalation. Points of discussion and potential understanding include, cybersecurity, North Korea, energy, strategic weapons, trade. However, each leader must maintain his state’s agenda and strategic interests as well.

South Korea President Park Geun-hye’s visit to the United States was overshadowed by a scandal surrounding Park’s spokesman. While some believe the scandal distracted from Park’s agenda, Donald Kirk postulates that the trip helped cement ties between South Korea and the US, offering hope for future six-party talks with North Korea.

After meeting with international affairs experts from Asia, Richard Weitz provides an in-depth look at how regional experts in the Asia-Pacific are reacting to the US pivot to Asia.

Kerry’s latest visit to China and other prior visits by Obama administration’s high-ranking civilian and military officials has shown that the bilateral relationship between the US and China has safely passed the transition period and will gain greater momentum in its development.