Chinese President Xi Begins Two-Day State Visit to North Korea

Addis Ababa, June 8, 2026 (FMC) — Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday for a two-day state visit, where he is holding summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un aimed at deepening bilateral relations and discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The visit marks Xi’s first trip to North Korea in seven years and his first overseas visit of 2026. It comes as Beijing seeks to reinforce its longstanding ties with Pyongyang amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in Northeast Asia, including North Korea’s growing cooperation with Russia and persistent tensions over its nuclear and missile programs.

Kim Jong Un welcomed Xi with full state honors at Pyongyang International Airport, where the Chinese leader received a ceremonial red-carpet reception, a 21-gun salute and military honors before the two leaders proceeded to an official welcoming ceremony in the North Korean capital. Xi was accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes First Lady Peng Liyuan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and senior Communist Party official Cai Qi.

Ahead of the visit, Xi said China remains committed to strengthening its relationship with North Korea, describing bilateral ties as entering “a new historical starting point.” He pledged to deepen strategic communication, expand cooperation across various sectors and work with Pyongyang to safeguard regional peace and stability while promoting a fair and just international order.

The leaders are expected to discuss ways to expand political, economic and security cooperation during the visit. Analysts say Beijing is seeking to reaffirm its influence on the Korean Peninsula while maintaining close engagement with its longtime ally as regional security challenges continue to evolve.

China is North Korea’s largest trading partner and closest diplomatic ally, with the two countries maintaining a longstanding treaty relationship and gradually restoring high-level exchanges and cross-border cooperation following pandemic-related disruptions.