Xi was received at the airport by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, along with his wife Ri Sol Ju, in a ceremonial welcome that underscored the significance both sides attach to the visit, reports India Daily News Desk
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday for his first official visit to North Korea in seven years, stepping into a tightly watched diplomatic moment as regional alignments shift and geopolitical rivalries intensify across East Asia.
Xi was received at the airport by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, along with his wife Ri Sol Ju, in a ceremonial welcome that underscored the significance both sides attach to the visit. Accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan and senior officials including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Chinese leader is on a two-day state visit at Kim’s invitation.
The visit marks a renewed push to consolidate ties between Beijing and Pyongyang, with both leaders signalling a desire to deepen cooperation across political, military and economic spheres. During initial interactions, Xi and Kim exchanged handshakes and greetings before proceeding to high-level talks aimed at reaffirming what both countries describe as a historic and strategic partnership.
According to Chinese state media, the leaders are expected to build on long-standing bilateral relations while adapting their engagement to what Xi described as a “new historical starting point”. In a signed article published in Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s official newspaper, Xi called for strengthening coordination and expanding exchanges across party, government and military institutions.
“China stands ready to work with the DPRK to steer bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and achieve greater development of the relationship,” Xi wrote, emphasising the importance of keeping ties aligned with evolving global dynamics.
The visit comes at a time when North Korea has been deepening its military and strategic engagement with Russia. A mutual defence pact signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in 2024 has added a new layer to the regional security landscape, raising concerns among Western powers and their allies.
Xi’s trip also follows a series of high-profile diplomatic exchanges involving major global actors, including a recent visit by United States President Donald Trump to Beijing and subsequent engagements involving Moscow. These developments have highlighted the increasingly fluid nature of geopolitical alignments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
Against this backdrop, Beijing appears keen to reassert its influence over North Korea, a long-standing ally whose strategic relevance has grown amid intensifying global competition. Analysts view the visit as an effort by China to maintain a central role in Pyongyang’s external relations, even as the latter strengthens ties with Moscow.
During summit talks, Kim described relations with China as his country’s “top priority”, calling the partnership a reflection of both historical ties and present-day strategic needs. He said strengthening friendship between the two nations was “the people’s choice and the calling of the times”, according to reports.
Kim also reaffirmed North Korea’s support for China’s “One China” principle and pledged continued backing for Beijing’s core interests. He emphasised that Pyongyang views the relationship as its “most important strategic priority”, signalling a clear intent to deepen engagement with China despite its parallel outreach to Russia.
Xi, in turn, reiterated China’s commitment to safeguarding North Korea’s interests and expanding practical cooperation. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration across a broad spectrum of sectors, including trade, science, healthcare and the military, while calling for sustained high-level exchanges to reinforce political trust.
“No matter how the international situation changes, the Chinese party and government’s firm commitment to safeguarding the shared interests of the two countries will not change,” Xi was quoted as saying, adding that both sides should strengthen coordination in diplomacy, law enforcement and defence.
The visit coincides with the 65th anniversary of the China–North Korea Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, adding symbolic weight to the engagement. Both leaders framed the occasion as an opportunity to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties and to jointly shape regional stability.
At the same time, tensions surrounding North Korea’s nuclear programme remain unresolved. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong-un, recently asserted that the country’s nuclear status is “absolutely irreversible”, dismissing any suggestion of denuclearisation talks as “baseless falsehood”. Her remarks came amid continued missile testing, including trials of advanced launch systems and tactical cruise weapons.
