Xi Jinping visits North Korea, urges joint defence of international order

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on 8 April on a one‑night, two‑day state visit, welcomed with a red carpet at Sunan International Airport and official ceremony in Kim Il‑sung Square. He met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a bilateral summit where the two sides discussed deepening economic cooperation, trade volumes and the restoration of transport links that had been disrupted by the pandemic.

In a Rodong Sinmun op‑ed, Xi called for “joint defence of the international order based on the United Nations and international law,” criticised hegemonism and militarism, and reaffirmed the “traditional China‑North Korea friendship” as “ever‑lasting.” He stressed that both socialist states share common ideals and must support each other’s sovereignty, security and development.

The visit marks Xi’s first trip to North Korea in seven years, highlighting increased diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.