Watch: Why is China's Xi Jinping visiting North Korea?

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Pyongyang for a rare two-day state visit to North Korea, his first in seven years. He was welcomed by North Korean President Kim Jong Un with a 21-gun salute and a military band. Xi's visit, marked by festive crowds and national flags adorning buildings, comes as he described relations between the two countries as being at a "new historical starting point." The visit is expected to include a summit between Xi and Kim. Historically, China has been North Korea's primary economic partner, but this relationship has seen shifts, particularly following North Korea's provision of weapons to Russia.

President Xi Jinping is visiting North Korea on Monday, his first trip there in seven years. The visit aims to demonstrate that China is the most viable partner for reviving North Korea's economy. This trip follows Xi's recent meetings with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, reflecting China's increasing global confidence. Analysts suggest the visit is intended to reaffirm bilateral ties and manage risks, particularly as denuclearization efforts appear stalled. China views renewed economic engagement as vital to maintaining its influence over North Korea, especially given Pyongyang's closer ties with Moscow. China remains indispensable to North Korea's economy, supplying over 90 percent of its legal trade and essential goods.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is making his first visit to North Korea in nearly seven years for talks with leader Kim Jong Un. This meeting marks their first since September 2025 and is seen as a platform for Kim to project an assertive foreign policy and for China to reassert its influence over its traditional ally, which has recently strengthened ties with Russia. Kim seeks stronger ties with China to break isolation and gain economic assistance, while China aims to bring North Korea closer into its orbit, potentially offering economic incentives and food aid. The discussions may also include resuming Chinese tourism and joint economic projects. China's stance on North Korea's nuclear ambitions is also a key point, with observers noting a potential shift in Beijing's rhetoric.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has made his first visit to Pyongyang in seven years, receiving a colorful welcome. The article states Xi Jinping is visiting North Korea, but does not provide the specific reasons or motivations behind this visit. The description confirms Xi Jinping's arrival in Pyongyang for his first trip in seven years. The content reiterates that President Xi Jinping received a colorful welcome upon his arrival in Pyongyang for his first visit in seven years.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is making his first visit to Pyongyang in seven years to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This trip is significant because Xi Jinping has reduced his international travel in recent years, with foreign leaders typically visiting him in Beijing. The article suggests Xi's decision to travel to Pyongyang indicates the importance China places on this visit. One potential reason for the trip is China's concern about North Korea's relationship with Russia. Historically, China has been the senior partner in the relationship, with North Korea heavily reliant on China for trade.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday for a two-day visit, marking his first trip to North Korea since 2019. In an article published by Rodong Sinmun, Xi emphasized the enduring "combat friendship" and mutual trust between China and North Korea, stating it has withstood challenges. He pledged to enhance strategic communication and maintain frequent interactions between the parties, governments, and militaries of both nations, likening their relationship to that of relatives. This visit signifies a deepening of ties and a commitment to ongoing dialogue between the two countries.

North Korea has declared its nuclear weapons program "irreversible," directly contradicting the United States' goal of denuclearization on the Korean peninsula. This statement was made on Sunday, just before Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, dismissed reports of shared denuclearization goals between the US and China as "false information" and an "anachronistic dream." This comes after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Xi, where the US stated they shared the denuclearization objective, though China's official statement did not mention the issue.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for an "exponential" expansion of his country's nuclear arsenal, citing worsening security threats and long-term confrontation with "most ferocious enemies." During a visit to a newly unveiled facility for producing nuclear bomb fuels on Thursday, Kim stated that production capacity for weapons-grade nuclear material has more than doubled in the past five years. He was briefed on advanced production processes and future plans, with the state Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reporting that a consultative meeting was held to discuss increasing nuclear forces. Kim described this as a historic event that significantly upgrades North Korea's nuclear capabilities and sets out safeguards for an ambitious plan to bolster its nuclear forces.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dismissed the U.S. push for denuclearization as an "anachronistic dream," stating North Korea will expand its nuclear arsenal in response to U.S.-led threats. This statement comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea. Kim Yo Jong asserted that U.S. claims about North Korea's nuclear status lack legal force and called U.S. announcements about denuclearization goals with China "false information." North Korea has been increasing its nuclear capabilities since 2019, with Kim Jong Un recently visiting a nuclear materials production plant and a weapons factory, calling for significant increases in missile production. Analysts suggest Xi's visit aims to reassert China's influence and may focus on economic aid rather than denuclearization.