Chinese President Xi visits Pyongyang, vows expanded ties with North Korea

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday for his first visit to North Korea in seven years, vowing to expand bilateral cooperation across trade, agriculture, and technology while calling for joint efforts to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Cooperation pledges

Xi told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that Beijing is prepared to deepen practical cooperation in areas ranging from economy and trade to agriculture, construction, science, and healthcare, according to China's official Xinhua news agency. He urged both nations to "firmly safeguard" their sovereignty, security, and development interests while maintaining high-level exchanges to strengthen political mutual trust.

"No matter how the international situation changes, the Chinese party and government's firm commitment to safeguarding the shared interests of the two countries will not change," Xi said. He added that China stands ready to work with Kim to advance bilateral ties and align the two countries' development strategies.

Anniversary visit

The visit — Xi's first overseas trip this year — comes at Kim's personal invitation and coincides with the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea treaty of friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance. The Chinese president last traveled to Pyongyang in 2019, becoming the first Chinese head of state in 14 years to visit the country.

Regional dynamics

The rare summit takes place amid shifting regional dynamics, including Pyongyang's deepening ties with Moscow under a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed in 2024 that includes mutual defense commitments. China remains North Korea's most important economic partner, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $2.79 billion last year — the highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic and close to pre-pandemic volumes seen in 2019.