Chinese President Xi Jinping has embarked on a two-day visit to North Korea marking his first trip to the country in nearly seven years. This visit comes at a critical juncture, as China seeks to revitalize its alliance with North Korea amidst evolving geopolitical landscapes.
The visit is particularly significant as it coincides with the 65th anniversary of the friendship and mutual assistance treaty between China and North Korea, a pact that remains China’s sole defense agreement with another nation. This historic bond dates back to the Korean War where Chinese and North Korean troops fought side by side against South Korea.
Revitalizing a strained alliance
The relationship between China and North Korea has faced strains in recent years, primarily due to a trade freeze during the Covid-19 pandemic and North Korea’s growing military cooperation with Russia. North Korea has reportedly sent over 10,000 soldiers to support Russia in the Ukraine war and in 2026, Moscow and Pyongyang signed a mutual defense pact.
John Delury, a senior fellow for the Asia Society, notes that while North Korean propaganda highlights its closeness with Russia, the relationship with China is viewed more nostalgically. “They don’t want to let North Korea’s closeness with Russia outpace the ties with China too much,” Delury observes.
The delicate balance of global alliances
Xi Jinping’s visit to Pyongyang follows a highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Xi in Beijing, which was framed as an effort to stabilize US-China relations. Although the summit lacked tangible deliverables, Trump mentioned discussions about North Korea with Xi.
There is speculation that Trump may have requested Xi to convey a message to Kim Jong-un, as Trump has expressed interest in meeting the North Korean leader again. However, Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-un’s sister and a powerful figure in the regime, has dismissed claims that Xi and Trump discussed denuclearization as “false”.
Recent developments, such as North Korea unveiling a new nuclear material production factory and Kim calling for an “exponential” expansion of the country’s atomic arsenal, have added complexity to the regional dynamics. Xi’s visit is likely to focus on defending China’s security interests in northeast Asia, particularly the perceived threat from Japan’s increasing militarism.
Economic and strategic interests
China’s economic influence over North Korea is substantial, with China accounting for the majority of North Korea’s official trade. In the first two months of 2026, bilateral trade between the two countries rose by 22% compared to the same period in 2026. This economic interdependence gives China significant leverage over North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un.
William Yang, a senior analyst at the Crisis Group, suggests that Xi’s visit is a strategic move to prevent escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, especially in light of North Korea’s recent waves of missile tests, including the announcement of successfully testing AI-guided missiles.
The visit underscores the complex interplay of economic, military, and political interests that shape the dynamics between China, North Korea, and the broader international community.
