Xi Jinping to Visit North Korea, Strengthening Strategic Ties

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit North Korea next week, marking his first trip there in almost seven years. The visit, announced by both countries, aims to reinforce the strong ties between China and its nuclear-armed neighbor. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has recently engaged with Russia, sending troops and weapons to aid its conflict in Ukraine. However, Kim remains focused on improving relations with China, North Korea’s top trading partner and aide provider.

William Yang, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, stated, “As North Korea builds closer ties with Russia, China seeks to use Xi’s trip to reassert its influence over Pyongyang and safeguard its strategic interests in northeast Asia.” Xi’s state visit will occur on Monday and Tuesday, according to Chinese and North Korean state media. His last trip was in June 2019.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson indicated the visit aims to advance ties and bolster regional peace. “The traditional friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK have continued to develop in a sound and stable manner, bringing tangible benefits to both countries and their peoples,” said spokeswoman Mao Ning.

Xi’s upcoming trip comes shortly after he hosted U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. North Korea’s nuclear weapons program has remained a significant concern for the U.S., which opposes it. The United Nations has sanctioned North Korea due to its nuclear and missile developments. The trip announcement followed North Korea’s unveiling of a new facility believed to enhance uranium production, crucial for nuclear bombs. Kim announced plans to expand the country’s nuclear forces at an “exponential rate” at the plant’s launch.

Experts suggest this disclosure indicates Kim’s eagerness to cement North Korea’s nuclear status before Xi’s visit. They believe Kim seeks international recognition as a nuclear state, hoping to leverage this for sanction relief and arms reduction talks with the U.S.

Kim has prioritized nuclear arsenal expansion since diplomacy with Trump stalled in 2019. Trump has voiced interest in renewing dialogue, but Kim insists that the U.S. must drop its denuclearization demand first. Analysts will monitor China’s stance on North Korea’s denuclearization during Xi’s visit.

Xi and Kim met in Beijing last month, pledging support and cooperation. Kim attended a Chinese military parade with other foreign leaders, including Putin. Russia and China, both permanent U.N. Security Council members, have previously blocked efforts to increase sanctions on North Korea despite its prohibited weapons tests.

At their recent meeting, Putin and Xi opposed “foreign policy isolation, economic sanctions, military pressure and other methods of creating threats to the security” of North Korea, according to the Kremlin. Embracing “new Cold War” ideas, Kim seeks stronger ties with countries opposing the United States, aiming for a more assertive foreign policy.

Xi’s travel abroad remains limited since the COVID-19 pandemic, with his last international trip to South Korea for an Asia-Pacific summit last fall, where he met Trump.