North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met in Beijing for the first time in over six years. The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People, marking an important step in strengthening ties between North Korea and China.
This historic summit was confirmed by Chinese state media. Ahead of the talks, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said both leaders planned to discuss “bilateral relations” and explore issues of common interest in depth. He added that China aims to build stronger communication with North Korea and deepen cooperation, especially in areas like the economy.
The meeting comes at a crucial time. North Korea faces economic challenges, and China is its biggest supporter for trade and resources. The countries also want to repair strained relations after North Korea’s recent closeness with Russia. This is the first time Kim and Xi have met since June 2019, when they last held a summit in North Korea’s capital.
Kim Jong-un arrived in Beijing aboard his private armored train, bringing his daughter and heir, Ju-ae, along. This was Kim’s third visit to China, and his fifth since becoming leader. His trip also included attending a parade celebrating 80 years since the end of World War II, held in Tiananmen Square.
During his stay, Kim joined Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a large military parade on Wednesday, showing the three countries’ growing partnership. After the parade, Kim joined Xi and Putin at a reception, where they held talks to strengthen their alliances.
This high-level visit highlights the continuing importance of China-North Korea relations and the growing cooperation among Beijing, Pyongyang, and Moscow. It signals efforts to rebuild and boost their strategic partnerships in the region.
