Xi Jinping pledges 'unwavering' support to Kim Jong Un

Business To Business, Beijing, 8^th June, 2026:  Xi Jinping has pledged China's "unwavering" support to Kim Jong Un during a rare visit to North Korea.
The two-day trip is Xi's first visit to North Korea since 2019 and his first overseas trip of the year.
The visit underscores the importance of ties between China and North Korea, which have long maintained a close political and strategic relationship.
Strategic Context

• Xi's visit comes at a time when North Korea has been strengthening its relationship with Russia.
• In recent years, Kim Jong Un has expanded diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation with Russia.
• Analysts have often viewed Pyongyang's growing engagement with Moscow as a development that could reduce China's traditional influence over North Korea, although Beijing remains North Korea's most important economic partner.

• High-level visits between Chinese and North Korean leaders are relatively infrequent, making Xi's trip particularly significant.
• The visit signals Beijing's intention to maintain strong ties with Pyongyang amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in Northeast Asia.
• It also provides an opportunity for both sides to coordinate on regional security issues and bilateral cooperation.