Tillerson's first China visit to build on positive momentum in China-US ties

NO READY SOLUTION TO DPRK ISSUE

Tillerson's visit came at a time when the crisis on the Korean Peninsula was aggravated by the recent test firing of missiles by the DPRK, so far the most substantial reaction to the Seoul-Washington military exercises, and the controversial US deployment of the THAAD anti-missile systems in South Korea.

Due to complexity of the crisis, experts are cautious about any breakthrough from the China-US talks on the issues during Tillerson's visit.

Carpenter believed that the US and South Korea will not even delay, much less abandon, the THAAD deployment.

"American leaders are concerned that elections in South Korea might produce a president opposed to THAAD, but unless that happens, the deployment will go forward," Carpenter said, referring to the upcoming election in South Korea following the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

Paal said he did not expect any deal on the DPRK issue from Tillerson's meetings in Beijing, as there is "no ready solution" to it.

The US is in the midst of a policy review and lacks many of the personnel necessary to conduct the review thoroughly, so it will take much longer than next week to find a solution. Moreover, South Korea is now in the midst of changing administration and not ready to make new initiatives with the DPRK, Paal said.

Nevertheless, if the DPRK issue can bring China and the US together, it will surely help Trump realize the importance of getting China's help on tackling global challenges, he said.