Did China's Xi visit North Korea because an emboldened Kim Jong Un wants "to confront the U.S."?

TL;DR

Xi Jinping visited North Korea, vowing to deepen ties and cooperation with Kim Jong Un.
Experts believe Xi's visit was to monitor an emboldened Kim Jong Un, whose strategic policy now focuses on confronting the U.S.
China faces a problem if Kim enters conflict with the U.S., as it could involve China, thus requiring them to counsel and restrain Kim.
Despite past strains and the execution of Kim's uncle, China and North Korea must coexist and cooperate as neighbors.
Concerns exist about potential military cooperation between China and North Korea, which could escalate tensions.
Xi's visit also aimed to balance growing Russian influence in North Korea, which has benefited from Moscow's support.
Kim Jong Un is actively expanding his nuclear arsenal, with aims to diminish U.S. standing, reunify the Korean Peninsula, and be seen as a peer by China and Russia.
Past U.S. opportunities to negotiate denuclearization with North Korea were lost, according to experts.

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