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

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on June 8 for his first visit to North Korea in seven years, holding a two‑day summit with leader Kim Jong Un. The leaders described their alliance as “unbreakable” and said they would expand cooperation across trade, agriculture, construction, technology and other sectors. Both sides agreed to strengthen strategic coordination and safeguard their sovereignty and security interests, while North Korea reaffirmed support for China’s “one‑China principle” on Taiwan.

The summit comes as North Korea deepens ties with Russia and faces international sanctions. Beijing, accounting for over 90 % of Pyongyang’s trade, seeks to reassert its influence and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula. Experts note that the visit signals China’s intent to keep North Korea within its orbit and could affect regional security dynamics involving the United States and its allies.