China's Xi Jinping visits North Korea, signs peace and trade pact with Kim Jong Un

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pyongyang on June 8‑9, marking his first trip to North Korea since 2019 and the first visit by a Chinese leader in seven years. The summit, held on the 65th anniversary of the China‑North Korea mutual‑defence treaty, produced an “important consensus” on peace and a broad cooperation pact covering politics, economics, trade, culture and military matters. For the first time in years, Beijing stopped demanding the denuclearisation of the North Korean regime, signalling a shift in its diplomatic stance.

Trade between the two countries rose by more than 25% in 2025, reaching about $2.73 billion, with North Korea importing roughly $2.29 billion of Chinese goods. The agreement also includes steps to reopen borders and restore international flights, aiming to boost the isolated North Korean economy, which has faced severe sanctions, a collapsing currency and soaring food prices. Observers note the deal could reshape the strategic balance in the Asia‑Pacific, offering China a firmer foothold near the Korean Peninsula while the United States watches the development amid broader regional tensions.