China-North Korea Relations: Reached North Korea after 7 years, increased commotion in the world… Will Asia’s power game change?

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday to talk to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that the two leaders would reaffirm the long-standing friendship between the neighboring countries and pledge to further develop bilateral relations. This visit of Xi Jinping is taking place amid increasing military relations between Pyongyang and Moscow. North Korea and Russia signed a mutual defense agreement during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in 2024. The Chinese President’s visit to North Korea follows US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Chinese capital. This also comes at a time when China is accusing Japan of adopting a policy of “new militarism”, which Tokyo has rejected.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who is general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and chair of state affairs of the DPRK, and his wife Ri Sol Ju welcomed Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the airport today, according to Xinhua. After descending the stairs, Xi Jinping and Kim shook hands. Xi Jinping is on a two-day state visit at the invitation of Kim Jong-un. The visit is being considered a response to Kim’s visit to Beijing in September 2025 to attend a military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Russian President Vladimir Putin was also present in that program. Meanwhile, Peng Liyuan, member of the Communist Party Central Committee, accompanied Xi Jinping and his wife on a visit to North Korea. Director of the General Office Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi are also there.

At present, relations between China and North Korea are at a new historical turning point, with new opportunities for development and new challenges of the times, Xi Jinping said in an article published in North Korea’s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun ahead of his meeting with North Korean leaders today. Xi Jinping, who is General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said that “China looks forward to working with North Korea to advance bilateral relations from a strategic perspective, keep pace with the times, and achieve further development of relations. North Korea’s official name is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). “The two sides should deepen strategic communication and firmly maintain China-DPRK relations,” Xi Jinping wrote. Should be taken in the direction. This year also marks the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.