Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on June 8, beginning a two-day state visit welcomed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife. This marks Xi's first visit to North Korea in seven years, during which he reiterated that the traditional friendship between China and North Korea will remain steadfast regardless of changes in the international situation.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi's Air China flight landed at Pyongyang's Sunan Airport around noon local time. Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, personally greeted Xi and his delegation, which included senior officials such as Cai Qi, head of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party, and Wang Yi, a member of the Central Political Bureau and foreign minister.
An official welcome ceremony took place at Kim Il Sung Square, where large portraits of the two leaders were displayed alongside banners proclaiming "Long Live China-North Korea Friendship" and "Long Live the Unity of the Peoples of China and North Korea." North Korean and Chinese flags flew side by side as citizens of Pyongyang cheered and applauded the two leaders. National anthems were played, and a 21-gun salute was fired in honor of Xi, who inspected a North Korean honor guard alongside Kim.
Following the ceremony, the two leaders moved to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun for talks. They are expected to discuss the development of China-North Korea relations, the expansion of economic cooperation, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea Mutual Aid and Cooperation Treaty.
Xi's visit comes amid a significantly altered diplomatic landscape compared to his first visit to North Korea in June 2019. At that time, North Korea was in a state of international isolation following the collapse of the Hanoi summit between the U.S. and North Korea. Currently, however, North Korea has strengthened its strategic position through expanded military and economic cooperation with Russia. Analysts suggest that this visit symbolizes a reestablishment of China-North Korea relations in light of the changing dynamics.
In a commentary published on the front page of the North Korean Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, Xi stated, "No matter how the international situation changes, the traditional friendship between our two countries remains strong." He called for enhanced strategic communication and cooperation between China and North Korea, emphasizing the need to oppose hegemony and militarism, which he suggested threaten regional stability.
The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, also highlighted the importance of the China-North Korea relationship in its front-page headline, stating that this historic visit would outline a new blueprint for the development of relations between the two parties and countries. It emphasized that solidifying the China-North Korea friendship is a firm strategic choice for both nations.
Xi's visit serves as a reciprocal gesture following Kim's visit to China in September 2022 to attend a military parade. It symbolizes a normalization of relations between the two countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, exchanges had been halted, and North Korea had strengthened ties with Russia, leading to a relative decline in China's influence over North Korea. However, following Kim's visit to China last September, international passenger trains and flights between the two countries resumed, marking a significant revival in their relationship.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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