Kim Jong Un has made a surprise trip to China, appearing in public after speculation about his health and whereabouts, as he moves to strengthen ties with Beijing. The North Korean leader was pictured smiling and meeting Chinese officials during the visit, which saw him praise President Xi Jinping’s leadership and vow to deepen cooperation between the two communist states.
Visit to Dandong and Border Bridge
The North Korean leader travelled across a newly opened bridge linking the two countries before visiting the Chinese border city of Dandong, a vital gateway for trade with his isolated regime. He arrived in Dandong on Saturday, October 24, and visited a war memorial commemorating China’s support for North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War.
He also met senior Chinese officials, including foreign minister Wang Yi, and toured a bus factory before receiving a formal send-off at the new four-lane bridge across the Yalu River. However, Mr Kim did not meet Mr Xi in person during the visit, although the two leaders exchanged greetings through officials.
Strengthening Ties with Beijing
The North Korean leader thanked the Chinese president for paying special attention to his trip, according to state media reports. Mr Kim described the relationship between the two countries as an “invincible” friendship “forged at the cost of blood”. He added that North Koreans would “forever remember the glorious years of fighting alongside the Chinese people” and pass down “generational gratitude” to those who had helped the country’s revolution.
His sister, Kim Yo Jong, and foreign minister Choe Son Hui were among the senior North Korean officials accompanying him.
New Yalu River Bridge Opening
The visit followed the opening of the long-delayed New Yalu River Bridge on October 15. The 3km crossing, built with more than $300million (£225million) of Chinese investment, connects Dandong with the North Korean city of Sinuiju. Although completed in 2014, the bridge remained unused for more than a decade. Its opening is expected to boost the movement of goods and people across the border, although customs delays have reportedly continued to hamper commercial traffic.
North Korea has also strengthened its relationship with Russia, supporting Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. Its closer ties with Moscow have provided another reason for Pyongyang to maintain relations with Beijing, a key Russian ally. The two countries have also resumed passenger train services connecting their capitals.
Concerns Over Nuclear Ambitions
However, closer economic cooperation has raised concerns over the international pressure being applied to North Korea over its nuclear ambitions. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said Russia was fuelling an arms race while China was enabling Mr Kim’s account of the Korean War and his rejection of reconciliation efforts with South Korea. He said Beijing prioritised economic connectivity over making its benefits conditional on North Korean compliance with previous international agreements.
Mr Kim last visited Beijing in September 2025 for a military parade, while Mr Xi visited North Korea in June. The latest trip underlines Pyongyang’s efforts to consolidate its relationships with its powerful neighbours as the Trump administration continues to test allies over trade, security and military spending.
