This marks Xi’s first trip to North Korea in seven years. Upon arrival at Pyongyang’s international airport earlier that day, he received an extravagant welcome. He and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were warmly greeted by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, who both smiled broadly and applauded.
Later, Xi arrived at the capital’s main square, where a military honor guard and thousands of citizens, including children with balloons, participated in a festive welcoming ceremony. The buildings around the square were adorned with flags of both nations, massive portraits of Kim and Xi, and red-and-yellow banners celebrating the “friendship and unity” between the two countries.
During a subsequent summit, Xi expressed China’s eagerness to broaden cooperation across various sectors including trade, agriculture, construction, and technology, as reported by China’s state broadcaster CCTV.
Xi emphasized that the two countries should fortify their strategic partnership and protect their respective sovereignty and security interests, according to the report.
Kim remarked that Xi’s visit “clearly signifies how unbreakable” the relationship between North Korea and China is, as cited by CCTV. He noted that cementing a new era of friendship is the “unchanging strategic choice” for North Korea.
Details of the meeting remain limited. However, foreign experts have suggested that the summit could significantly impact bilateral relations and beyond, especially as both nations seek to rejuvenate their traditional alliance amid separate confrontations with the U.S.
Xi and Kim last united in Beijing in September, following a military parade they attended alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and other foreign dignitaries.
Xi’s current trip comes after his recent meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin in Beijing last month. He is anticipated to meet Trump again during a planned visit to the U.S. in September.
Kwak Gil Sup, head of One Korea Centre, a site focused on North Korea affairs, noted that Xi aims to showcase China’s “influence over the Korean Peninsula” and establish a leadership role in Northeast Asia amid strategic competition with the U.S.
China has historically been North Korea’s primary economic supporter and diplomatic ally. Analysts suggest that China has been lax in enforcing UN sanctions on North Korea and has provided covert aid to help its struggling neighbor. This year marks 65 years since the signing of a mutual defense treaty between the two nations.
However, uncertainties about their relationship have emerged in recent years, with North Korea leaning towards collaboration with Russia by supplying troops and weapons for its war effort in Ukraine. In return, North Korea has received economic and military support from Russia.
By reclaiming exclusive influence over North Korea, Xi could gain leverage in negotiations with Trump, who has repeatedly expressed a desire to reopen diplomatic talks with Kim, according to experts.
“Prioritizing the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and sanctions does not seem to be a focus for China,” stated Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.
Analysts predict that Xi may offer Kim economic aid packages, including shipments of rice and fertilizers, a renewal of Chinese group tourism to North Korea, and joint economic initiatives.
“North Korea cannot depend solely on Russia; it requires alignment with China,” Kwak remarked.
Moreover, Xi may avoid pressuring Kim regarding denuclearization, instead opting for vague comments about peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. This approach would be crucial for Kim, who seeks international acknowledgment as a nuclear power to facilitate lifting UN sanctions on North Korea.
“Chinese officials have avoided openly discussing denuclearization while still considering it a long-term goal. Kim seems eager for Xi to recognize North Korea as a nuclear neighbor,” Easley observed.
Following the recent summit between Trump and Xi, the White House indicated that both leaders reinforced their mutual intent to denuclearize North Korea. However, China simply stated the leaders had discussed the nuclear issues concerning the Korean Peninsula. On Sunday, Kim’s sister and senior official Kim Yo Jong dismissed the U.S. interpretation of the Xi-Trump meeting as “false information.”
Last week, Kim revealed a new facility intended for producing nuclear materials and pledged to enhance the nation’s nuclear capabilities “at an exponential rate.” He also supervised the sea trials of a new naval destroyer and urged the swift development of a nuclear-capable navy.
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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung informed reporters on Monday that North Korea is producing sufficient nuclear materials annually for approximately 10-20 bombs and is nearing the completion of intercontinental ballistic missile technology. He suggested that the global focus should initially be on persuading North Korea to halt its nuclear materials production and ICBM program as a short-term objective.
On Sunday, Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, echoed her brother’s sentiments, labeling the U.S. push for the denuclearization of North Korea as an “escapist and outdated dream.” Since his high-stakes negotiations with Trump collapsed in 2019, Kim Jong Un has concentrated on expanding and modernizing his nuclear arsenal.
The North Korean leader mentioned in September that he still has “positive personal memories” of Trump, but called on the U.S. to retract its demand for North Korea to denuclearize as a prerequisite for resuming diplomatic engagement.
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