China's Xi Jinping visits North Korea, pledges deeper strategic ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping completed a two‑day state visit to Pyongyang, his first trip to North Korea since 2019. He was given a red‑carpet welcome by Kim Jong Un, including ceremonial performances and a tree‑planting ceremony symbolising the “evergreen” friendship. Both leaders said the relationship was “generational” and vowed to deepen strategic coordination and cooperation across economics, trade, agriculture, health, construction, science and technology. Xi praised the “socialist cause” shared by the two countries and affirmed support for Kim’s leadership, while North Korea reiterated its backing of Beijing’s “One China” principle.

State media noted the visit underscored Beijing’s desire to maintain influence over the isolated regime, which has drawn closer to Russia. No concrete agreements were announced and discussions on denuclearisation were absent from the public readouts. The trip followed Xi’s recent meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the diplomatic balancing act in a region facing heightened sanctions and security pressures.