Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are set to meet for talks in Beijing, Chinese authorities announced on Thursday, as Kim undertakes a rare foreign visit.
Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin were seen flanking Xi at a massive military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, where underwater drones, large-scale missiles, and laser weaponry were displayed to visiting leaders.
China has long been North Korea’s principal ally, a bond forged during the Korean War of the 1950s, providing diplomatic, economic, and political support to the isolated state, which remains under stringent international sanctions.
Details of Kim’s Visit
| Detail | Information |
| Arrival | Tuesday, accompanied by daughter Kim Ju Ae |
| Previous Visits | Second reported trip abroad in six years; first visit to China since 2019 |
| Notable Event | Attended military parade alongside Xi and Putin |
| Purpose of Talks | Exchange on China–DPRK relations and issues of mutual concern |
| Spokesperson | Guo Jiakun, Chinese Foreign Ministry |
Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed that Xi and Kim will hold talks and exchange views in depth on China–DPRK relations and matters of common interest. He added: “China is willing to work with the DPRK to strengthen strategic communication and deepen the exchange of experience in governance.”
Kim previously engaged in high-profile diplomacy from around 2018, meeting US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on multiple occasions. However, following the collapse of the Hanoi summit with Trump in 2019, Kim largely withdrew from the international stage.
Beijing continues to play a crucial role in supporting North Korea, maintaining ties that span economic, political, and military domains, despite the country’s ongoing isolation due to sanctions.
