Replies

I think the meeting with Mao was the important one. In it Mao hit the major points of what any agreement with Nixon would cover. IMVHO Mao wanted to make sure the talks between Chou and Nixon covered what he (Mao) wanted covered.
Though in bad health Mao was still the strong man in China. Nothing happened without his approval. By taking that first meeting with Nixon he was putting both Chou and Nixon on notice as to what he would approve. He gave Chou very little wiggle room.
Dictaters are kinda like that.

This is all just my opinion.

Either way President Trump stepping into North Korea to meet Kim is, to borrow a Bidenism, a Big F’n Deal.
Those simple steps across the border gave Kim big face with his people and especially his generals.
Propaganda wise Kim can now negotiate on a level field instead of being seen as a weakling bowing before the superior American.
Even though the entire world, including Kim, knows we could wipe out NK 10,000 times over, just by propping the guys status at home makes it much less likely we’ll have to.

This meeting was like the Nixon/Mao meeting, they painted the broad strokes. Now the underlings will fill in the details.