Xi Jinping visits North Korea for the first time in seven years, agrees with Kim Jong Un to deepen bilateral ties

A rare visit and a grand welcome

Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in Pyongyang on Monday for a two-day visit, his first to North Korea since 2019 and his first international trip this year. He was greeted at the airport by Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, with a ceremony that included a red carpet, a military honor guard, and children presenting flowers. A banner at the airport read, "We warmly welcome Comrade Xi Jinping," lauding the two nations' "unbreakable friendship," according to a translation cited by AFP.

A massive, choreographed welcome unfolded in the capital. Thousands of people lined the streets and filled Kim Il Sung Square, waving Chinese and North Korean flags and releasing balloons. Giant portraits of the two leaders were on display, and 21-gun salutes were fired, Xinhua reported. Xi's motorcade was cheered by crowds as it moved through the city.

Pledges of strategic cooperation

During their talks, Xi expressed China's willingness to expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, construction, and technology, according to China's state broadcaster CCTV. He stressed that the two countries should strengthen strategic cooperation and firmly safeguard their respective sovereignty and security interests.

I am deeply pleased and also feel a special sense of closeness.

Xi also told Kim that Beijing's firm support for the North Korean leader's leadership and the socialist cause of the DPRK "will not change," nor will its determination to defend common interests and a favorable strategic environment, according to an official Chinese summary of the meeting.

Kim's response and the Taiwan stance

Kim Jong Un described the visit as a clear demonstration of the "unbreakable" nature of the bilateral relationship. He called consolidating a new era of friendship between the two countries North Korea's "unchanging strategic choice."

Kim also reiterated his full backing for the "One China principle," North Korea's state media KCNA reported, referring to Beijing's position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. He vowed continued support for China's efforts to defend its core interests.

Geopolitical context and the Russia factor

The summit takes place as Beijing seeks to reassert its influence over Pyongyang, its only formal mutual-defense treaty partner. The relationship had cooled during the pandemic when North Korea sealed its border, and more recently, Pyongyang has deepened its alignment with Moscow, including supplying munitions and more than 12,000 troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine, according to the Washington Post.

Beijing never really wants North Korea to stray too far out of its orbit. Meanwhile, North Korea never wants to get sucked into the vacuum of Chinese power. That's their historical dynamic, and that's their dynamic now.

Analysts suggest Beijing may use expanded cooperation as a tool of influence in broader geopolitical negotiations. The visit was officially billed as a commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the 1961 friendship treaty between the two countries.

Banquet and a "new historical starting point"

Following the official talks, Kim hosted a banquet for Xi and his wife at the Mokran House in Pyongyang. Xi stated that the bilateral relationship is at a "new historical starting point" and that an "important consensus" had been reached during the discussions, according to state media.

Xi is accompanied by senior officials including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and de facto chief of staff Cai Qi. The visit comes just weeks after Xi hosted both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, two actors with key influence over North Korean foreign policy.