Chinese leader visits North Korea for first time in seven years

Chinese leader Xi Jinping held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Monday during his first visit to the country in seven years. The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in trade, agriculture, construction, science and technology, and healthcare. They also agreed to bolster strategic coordination and strengthen military, diplomatic, and law enforcement exchanges.

Diplomatic context Xi did not reference denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in the published remarks, unlike statements from the 2019 meeting. North Korea amended its constitution in 2023 to enshrine its policy on developing nuclear weapons. Kim described the visit as the highest demonstration of the importance China attaches to North Korea-China friendship, according to North Korean state media.

Regional relations China has long been North Korea's principal economic lifeline and most important diplomatic partner. The two countries fought together in the Korean War. Kim said North Korea would continue to uphold bilateral friendship as its most important top-priority strategic work.

Ties between the two sides have cooled in recent years while North Korea strengthened relations with Russia. Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual defense treaty in 2024. North Korea has provided soldiers and munitions to support Russia's war in Ukraine.