China North Korea relations: Amidst Iran, Ukraine conflicts, China President Xi Jinping, North Korea leader Kim Jong Un sends message to Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged Beijing’s “unwavering” support for leader Kim Jong Un in a rare visit to long-term ally North Korea on Monday. Xi’s comments during his two-day visit come as Kim has deepened ties with Russia and irritated China in recent years. In the BBC’s news, citing Western diplomatic sources, it was stated that China is increasingly concerned about the growing partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow. The report stated that after meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin during his recent visit to Beijing, Xi may want to keep Kim under control, especially at a time when Beijing is increasing its presence on the global stage. The statement also comes amid the US-Iran conflict over the Strait of Hormuz and other issues.

This is the Chinese President’s first visit to North Korea since 2019 and also his first overseas visit this year.

“No matter how the international situation changes, China’s firm stance remains [Communist] The party and government highly value the traditional friendship between China and North Korea [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] Xi told Kim “he will not change,” China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

“The unwavering support for North Korea’s socialist cause led by General Secretary Comrade Kim Jong-un will not change, and the determination of both China and North Korea to safeguard their common interests and favorable strategic environment will not change,” Xi said.

Xi did not mention denuclearization in his meeting with Kim.

Beijing opposes nuclear weapons and supports denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula; North Korea, which has carried out numerous nuclear tests since 2006, declares itself as a nuclear-armed state.
Xi also called for stronger exchanges at all levels in areas such as foreign policy, law enforcement and military, and urged the two sides to step up their strategic coordination and cooperation to “strictly safeguard their respective sovereignty, security and development.” Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan were welcomed by Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju at Pyongyang International Airport upon their arrival.

The party then proceeded to Kim Il-sung Square in the center of the North Korean capital for the welcome ceremony, after which Xi and Peng were taken to the Kumsusan State Guesthouse, where they spent the night.

Kim called Xi “the most distinguished guest” and said the Chinese leader’s decision to make his first foreign visit of the year to North Korea was a “tremendous encouragement.”

According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, “This visit clearly shows once again how unbreakable the China-North Korea relationship is, a relationship that has been tested over time, always standing on the right side of history, supporting independence and justice.”

Kim also praised the “unique nature” of the relationship with China, adding that it was “the country’s most important, top-priority strategic initiative.”

He said North Korea will work closely with China to advance cooperation in trade, infrastructure, technology, education and people-to-people exchanges.

According to Xi, North Korea is a strategic neighbor that China can neither control nor afford to lose. Relations between China and North Korea have been strained by distrust, with Pyongyang under Kim moving closer to Moscow and even deploying its soldiers to fight on Russia’s behalf in the ongoing war against Ukraine.

Xi’s visit is seen as Beijing’s attempt to regain influence over its vital but highly unpredictable partner.

Analysts say China wants stability on its border and influence in Pyongyang without being dragged into crises triggered by North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.