China and North Korea have staged a new political rapprochement in an official meeting that both parties described as “a new historic starting point.” The meeting between Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un reinforces a key strategic relationship for the balance of power in Asia and comes in a context marked by regional tensions, geopolitical rivalries and economic challenges for both countries. In this edition of This is Asia we analyze what is behind this renewed diplomatic push between Beijing and Pyongyang and what implications it may have for the region. In addition, we review India's latest demographic report, which reveals that the world's most populous country is no longer reaching the level of generational replacement, and we examine the consequences of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the southern Philippines and left dozens dead or missing.