Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in North Korea for a two-day visit, his first in nearly seven years, as Beijing seeks to revitalise relations with its junior ally amid growing strains from Pyongyang's deepening ties with Russia.
Welcome Ceremony at Pyongyang Airport
Footage from China's Xinhua news agency showed an Air China plane carrying Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, landing at Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport. A red carpet lined with North Korean honour guards greeted the delegation, which included Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Cai Qi, Xi's de facto chief of staff.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, welcomed Xi and Peng at the airport. The group proceeded to Kim Il-sung Square in central Pyongyang, where a colourful ceremony featured children presenting flowers, a military band playing both national anthems, and a 21-gun salute.
Streets Adorned for the Visit
Crowds carrying flags, flowers, and balloons flanked banners reading: "We warmly welcome Comrade Xi Jinping" and hailing the "unbreakable friendship" between the two nations. After the ceremony, Kim and Ri escorted Xi and Peng to the Kumsusan guesthouse, a luxurious state-owned villa complex completed in 2019 for visiting world leaders.
Talks on Trade and Cooperation
At the guesthouse, leaders held discussions on trade and cooperation. Xi released a statement affirming China's support for North Korea "no matter how the international situation changes." He called for expanding "pragmatic cooperation in economy and trade" and urged the full reopening of border ports and resumption of civil aviation and international passenger trains to boost personnel exchanges.
Kim congratulated Xi on China's "amazing development achievements" and his efforts to promote "world peace," according to Xinhua.
Strained Relations Amid Russia Ties
North Korea is China's only formal treaty ally, but relations have been strained by a pandemic-era freeze in trade and Pyongyang's growing closeness with Russia. Xi's trip comes ahead of the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea friendship treaty, China's sole defence agreement with another country.
Chinese and North Korean troops fought together in the Korean War, but Moscow and Pyongyang have more recent military cooperation. North Korea has sent over 10,000 soldiers to fight for Russia in Ukraine, and in 2024 they signed a mutual defence pact.
"Within North Korean propaganda, there are over-the-top paeans to the closeness with Russia forged in fighting a war together, whereas with China it's nostalgic," said John Delury, a senior fellow at the Asia Society. "They don't want North Korea's closeness with Russia to outpace ties with China too much."
Balancing Act with Russia and the US
Xi, Kim, and Russian President Vladimir Putin stood together at a military parade in Beijing last September, projecting a show of strength among autocratic leaders. However, behind the scenes, they navigate a delicate balance to preserve self-interests. China also seeks a strategic relationship with the US, especially in trade.
Xi's visit comes less than a month after US President Donald Trump visited Beijing for a summit framed as re-stabilising US-China relations. Trump later said he discussed North Korea with Xi, sparking speculation he may have asked Xi to pass a message to Kim. Trump has expressed interest in meeting Kim again.
Beijing and Washington have diverged from their previous united front opposing North Korea's nuclear buildup. When Xi and Kim met in Beijing last year, their readouts omitted any mention of denuclearisation for the first time. Although the White House said Trump and Xi "confirmed their shared goal to denuclearise North Korea" after their May meeting, Beijing did not confirm this.
Nuclear Ambitions and Regional Security
On Sunday, Kim Yo-jong, Kim's powerful sister, called claims that Xi and Trump discussed denuclearisation "false." Last week, North Korea unveiled a new nuclear material production factory, and Kim called for an "exponential" expansion of the atomic arsenal.
For Xi, a bigger priority is defending China's security interests in northeast Asia, particularly what he sees as a threat from Japan. Xi reportedly became animated discussing Japan's increasing militarism with Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Japan rejects claims of "new militarism." Delury said any Beijing-Pyongyang cooperation on Japan would likely be rhetorical.
Rare Overseas Trip
The visit is notable as Xi travels abroad less frequently since the pandemic. His willingness to journey to Pyongyang reflects both the proximity of China's ally—a short flight or train from Beijing—and the importance of the bilateral relationship.
