Xi Jinping Makes First Foreign Trip of 2026 to North Korea, First Visit Since 2019

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on June 8 for a two-day state visit, his first trip to North Korea since 2019 and his first trip abroad in 2026. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju met Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at the airport. The two leaders shook hands after Xi descended from the aircraft.

North Korean children presented bouquets to Xi and Peng Liyuan. A red carpet had been laid out, and large national flags of North Korea and China were displayed on the terminal building. Xi later attended a welcome ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square.

The North Korean military gave a 21-gun salute, and a band played the national anthems of both countries. Accompanied by Kim, Xi inspected the honor guards of Pyongyang's three armed services. After the ceremony, Xi and Peng Liyuan were taken to the Kumsusan State Guest House.

North Korean people lined both sides of the road waving to welcome them. Portraits of Xi and flags of both nations lined the streets across Pyongyang ahead of the visit. Banners in Korean and Chinese celebrating the two countries' traditional friendship were displayed throughout the capital.

Xi was accompanied on the trip by Peng Liyuan, Cai Qi, director of the general office of the Communist Party's central committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Talks between Xi and Kim were expected later on June 8. Xi last traveled to Pyongyang on June 20-21, 2019, his first state visit to the city since taking office in late 2012.

Kim has made five trips to Beijing to meet Xi since coming to power after December 2011. The two leaders most recently met in September 2025, when Kim traveled to Beijing for China's Victory Day celebrations and stood alongside Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a military parade.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between North Korea and China.

A train service for reporters from Dandong in China's Liaoning Province to Pyongyang resumed earlier in 2026.