Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to undertake a state visit to North Korea from Monday to Tuesday, marking his first trip to the country since June 2019, according to announcements by Chinese and North Korean state media on Friday.
The visit comes as Beijing moves to strengthen ties with its nuclear-armed neighbour amid deepening cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, including reported military assistance for Russia’s war in Ukraine, reports AP/ UNB.
Analysts say China aims to reaffirm its influence over North Korea while safeguarding its strategic interests in Northeast Asia.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the visit is expected to advance bilateral relations and contribute to regional peace and stability, adding that cooperation between the two countries has continued on a steady trajectory.
The announcement also follows North Korea’s recent unveiling of a new facility believed to be a uranium enrichment plant. During a visit to the site, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to expand the country’s nuclear arsenal “at an exponential rate.”
Experts suggest the disclosure may be intended to reinforce North Korea’s status as a nuclear weapons state ahead of Xi’s arrival.
Observers will closely monitor whether China reiterates its longstanding call for denuclearisation during the talks.
The visit comes shortly after Xi held high-level meetings in Beijing with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
