“It’s interesting not what’s been written down in that joint statement, but what’s been left out,” said Zhao Hai from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences during his interview with CGTN's The Point.

During the historic meeting that could open a new chapter on the Korean Peninsula, the DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump signed a joint statement, in which Trump committed to providing security guarantees and Kim reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. 

However, the document is an outline, with no specifics or deadlines, leaving analysts divided on its significance. 

“They (Trump and Kim) committed to a new relationship, but how to interpret 'new?' Normalization of relations, of course, is the target for North Korea (DPRK). They have been pursuing this for a long time, but the US didn’t say they are going to establish normal diplomatic relations,” Zhao explains.

“In the news conference, President Trump mentioned that it’s possible to exchange ambassadors between the two countries. In the process of negotiation, China used to offer the Chinese solution, which is to establish liaison offices between the two capitals. I think going forward, they will have to find out a way to explain exactly what kind of new type of relations is going to be there and how to realize that, either through diplomatic or other ways like economic relations,” Zhao added.

Tat Yan Kong, an associate professor from SOAS at the University of London, believes diplomatic relationships between the US and the DPRK are out of the picture for now.

“I think the first step might be not establishing full diplomatic relations but establishing consular offices in both countries, so one step short of establishing for diplomatic relations," Kong said. "Maybe the US can allow cultural and educational contacts within the limits of the sanctions. Maybe this is something to be worked out the next step when they announce the next summit.”

No wonder this new meeting opened new chapters for a peaceful Korean Peninsula. After the meeting, at a press conference, Trump described the meeting as honest, direct and productive. "Adversaries can indeed become friends," Trump claimed. "There is no limit to what the DPRK can achieve when it gives up nuclear weapons and embraces commerce."

The Point with Liu Xin is a 30-minute current affairs program on CGTN. It airs weekdays at 9:30 p.m. BJT (1330GMT), with rebroadcasts at 5:30 a.m. (2130GMT) and 10:30 a.m. (0230GMT).