North Korea and China pledge deeper cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a historic visit to Pyongyang, his first trip to North Korea since 2019. During talks with leader Kim Jong Un, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation across politics, economics, culture, science and the military, describing it as ushering in a “new era” of relations. Kim publicly reaffirmed support for Beijing’s One‑China principle, stating that the claim over Taiwan has his “full support.”

China, North Korea’s principal trade partner, pledged unconditional assistance regardless of how the international environment evolves. The meeting also highlighted North Korea’s expanding nuclear programme, with experts estimating roughly 60 warheads, and Kim’s recent remarks that the country’s nuclear forces must be further strengthened. Kim Yo‑jong, the leader’s sister, has dismissed recent calls for denuclearisation, calling the nation’s status as a nuclear power “irreversible.”