Xi Jinping to Visit North Korea as China Moves to Strengthen Ties with Pyongyang

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to make a two-day visit to North Korea beginning June 8, marking his first trip to the country in nearly seven years and signaling Beijing’s efforts to reinforce relations with its long-time ally amid shifting regional dynamics.

Chinese authorities announced that Xi will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to discuss bilateral ties and a range of issues of mutual concern. The visit comes as Beijing seeks to deepen engagement with Pyongyang following a period in which diplomatic exchanges were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and North Korea developed closer military and political ties with Russia.

Analysts view the visit as an attempt by China to reassert its influence over North Korea at a time when Moscow’s relationship with Pyongyang has grown significantly. In recent years, North Korea and Russia have expanded cooperation, including military ties and strategic coordination, prompting concerns in several regional capitals.

The trip also highlights the enduring alliance between China and North Korea, which is underpinned by a 65-year-old mutual defence treaty. Observers say Beijing is keen to remind both allies and rivals that it remains a central player in developments on the Korean Peninsula.

Xi’s visit will be his first overseas trip of 2026 and follows a series of high-profile diplomatic engagements, including recent meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The timing underscores China’s efforts to position itself at the centre of major geopolitical discussions in Asia.

The visit also comes amid renewed international attention on North Korea’s nuclear programme, with Kim recently calling for a significant expansion of the country’s nuclear arsenal. Analysts believe the summit could have important implications for regional security and future diplomatic efforts involving the Korean Peninsula.