The Chinese language chief’s go to on June 8-9, his first in seven years, comes as Pyongyang strengthens relations with Russia.
Printed 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, based on 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 lately met with the leaders of Russia and america.
Really helpful Tales
listing of three objectsfinish of listing
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.
Nevertheless, 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 associate and supplier of support.
The go to comes shortly after Xi hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the pair discussing the US battle with ally Iran.
Putin has succeeded in strengthening relations with Kim because the 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. In the course of 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 underneath heavy sanctions and among the many world’s most diplomatically remoted.
In line with 2022 statistics from the Nationwide Committee on North Korea, a Washington-based assume tank, North Korea is dependent upon 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 army parade within the capital to mark the eightieth anniversary of the victory over imperial Japan within the second world battle.
Beijing’s Minister of Overseas Affairs Wang Yi visited Pyongyang in April and stated that the 2 nations ought to “improve coordination” on worldwide and regional points and “preserve 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 referred to as for an “exponential” enlargement of the nation’s arsenal.
Hong Min of the Korea Institute for Nationwide Unification (KINU) assume tank instructed the AFP information company that Beijing is keeping track of North Korea’s “extraordinarily speedy” nuclear programme.
“This facet 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 up to now voiced hope that Beijing can play a constructive function in making certain that North Korea and China contribute to peace and stability.
