Xi Jinping Meets Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, First Visit in Seven Years

Chinese President Xi Jinping met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on June 8-9, 2026. The visit marked Xi's first trip to North Korea in seven years and concluded on Tuesday with the two leaders watching a welcome performance at Pyongyang Gymnasium on Monday. The leaders described their countries' ties as "forged in blood" and spoke of opening a "new chapter" in relations.

No public reference to North Korea's nuclear weapons program appeared during the talks. jp reported that the absence of any mention of the nuclear program may have been the most important aspect of the visit. The summit featured pageantry and celebratory language but produced few concrete outcomes beyond the stated intent to improve communication between the two governments.