China expands strategic partnership with North Korea and Russia

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent two‑day visit to Pyongyang highlighted a shift away from denuclearisation talks toward broader strategic coordination and economic reconnection. The leaders agreed to deepen trade, restore cross‑border rail services and weekly flights, and expand cooperation in agriculture, construction, science, technology and infrastructure, underscoring China’s role as North Korea’s principal economic partner.

In a separate high‑profile meeting in Beijing, Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed an “unconditional mutual support” pact, linking China’s next five‑year plan with Russia’s economic targets and pledging political backing for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The agreement stresses deepening bilateral trade, people‑to‑people ties and joint efforts to shape global governance, signalling China’s firm alignment with Russia on core geopolitical issues.