The Chinese language chief’s go to on June 8-9, his first in seven years, comes as Pyongyang strengthens relations with Russia.
Revealed On 5 Jun 2026
Chinese language President Xi Jinping will go to North Korea on June 8-9 following an invite from Kim Jong Un, in accordance with state broadcaster CCTV.
The go to, introduced on Friday, comes as Beijing seeks to shore up ties, with Pyongyang having strengthened relations with Russia. Xi additionally just lately met with the leaders of Russia and the USA.
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The assembly in Pyongyang would be the Chinese language president’s first journey to Pyongyang in seven years, having met North Korean chief Kim in 2019. Earlier than that journey, no Chinese language chief had visited North Korea since 2005.
Nonetheless, China has been working to attract North Korea – its solely formal treaty ally – again into its fold after the COVID-19 pandemic froze exchanges. Kim has additionally been attempting to enhance ties together with his nation’s largest buying and selling accomplice and supplier of assist.
The go to comes shortly after Xi hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the pair discussing the US struggle with ally Iran.
Putin has succeeded in strengthening relations with Kim for the reason that pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That diplomacy has helped persuade North Korea to provide troops and weapons to the Russian trigger.
Shortly earlier than assembly Putin, Xi welcomed US President Donald Trump to Beijing. Through the go to, the Chinese language chief declared the necessity for China and the US to work as companions, and warned Trump towards interfering with China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. The US chief has stated that he want to revive relations with Kim, whom he met greater than as soon as throughout his first time period.
Regardless of Pyongyang having drawn nearer to Moscow, Beijing stays an important supply of political and financial assist for a rustic beneath heavy sanctions and among the many world’s most diplomatically remoted.
In keeping with 2022 statistics from the Nationwide Committee on North Korea, a Washington-based suppose tank, North Korea relies on China for as much as 95 % of complete commerce and 85 % of its exports.
Xi final met Kim in September after he invited the North Korean chief and Putin as company of honour to a navy parade within the capital to mark the eightieth anniversary of the victory over imperial Japan within the second world struggle.
Beijing’s Minister of International Affairs Wang Yi visited Pyongyang in April and stated that the 2 international locations ought to “improve coordination” on worldwide and regional points and “keep shut communication and interplay”.
One level of concern for Beijing is North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
On Thursday, the North Korean state information company, KCNA, reported that Kim had known as for an “exponential” enlargement of the nation’s arsenal.
Hong Min of the Korea Institute for Nationwide Unification (KINU) suppose tank informed the AFP information company that Beijing is maintaining a tally of North Korea’s “extraordinarily fast” nuclear programme.
“This side must be managed. If North Korea acts in a provocative and belligerent method, it might set off regional battle, which might run counter to China’s pursuits,” Hong stated.
South Korea has prior to now voiced hope that Beijing can play a constructive function in making certain that North Korea and China contribute to peace and stability.
