Xi arrived in Pyongyang to a red-carpet welcome from Kim. his wife Ri Sol Ju, alongside a guard of honour
China will not swerve from its commitment to safeguarding common interests with North Korea or waver in its support for Kim Jong Un. President Xi Jinping told Pyongyang’s leader on Monday during a rare summit.
The neighbours should strengthen strategic ties. firmly protect their sovereignty, security, and development interests, Xi told Kim, according to an official Chinese summary of the meeting, as Beijing seeks to draw Pyongyang closer.
Xi’s two-day visit, his first in seven years to China’s reclusive neighbour, comes as North Korea’s economy—bolstered by growing trade. military ties with Russia—could increase Kim’s confidence in negotiations.
“I am deeply pleased. also feel a special sense of closeness,” Xi told Kim during his first international trip this year. He reaffirmed that China would continue to highly value its traditional friendship with North Korea regardless of global changes. the summary said.
“The firm support for Comrade General Secretary Kim Jong Un’s leadership of the DPRK socialist cause will not change,. the firm determination to safeguard common interests and a good strategic environment … will not change,” Xi added.
He referred to North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Chinese president, accompanied by Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), inspects the honor guard of the three services of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang, the DPRK, June 8, 2026. PHOTO: XINHUA
Xi arrived to a red-carpet welcome from Kim. his wife Ri Sol Ju, with a guard of honour and children presenting flowers, Chinese state media video showed. A 21-gun salute was fired at Kim Il Sung Square, where crowds chanted slogans. released balloons under large portraits of the leaders, Xinhua reported.
Xi said ties were at a “new historical starting point”. called for expanded cooperation in diplomacy, law enforcement, military affairs, agriculture, trade, technology, and construction.
Xi urged Kim to oppose “hegemony, authoritarianism. all attempts and conspiracies to revive militarism that endanger regional security and stability,” according to North Korean state media.
“The Xi-Kim summit is a reminder. Beijing still sees Pyongyang as a strategic asset,” said Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
The two countries, along with Russia and Iran, share an interest in countering U.S. influence, he added.
Xi also called for promoting fair multilateralism and inclusive economic globalisation, with regional peace and stability as shared goals.
“His visit is about keeping the tradition alive in very different conditions than his last trip,” said John Delury of the Asia Society.
Flags of both countries lined Pyongyang’s streets in footage released by Xinhua.
Xi was accompanied by senior officials including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Defence Minister Dong Jun, and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
He hosted Kim and other leaders last year at a major military parade in Beijing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Since then, Pyongyang has resumed border crossings with China. increased exchanges after pandemic-era isolation, while Air China resumed flights between the capitals in March.
Xi encouraged expanding people-to-people exchanges as ties recover.
“The sustainability of improved North Korea–Russia. North Korea–China relations may influence how long Kim can ignore Washington and Seoul,” said Sydney Seiler of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
On the eve of Xi’s visit, North Korea unveiled plans for a 10,000-ton naval destroyer and reaffirmed its nuclear status.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates North Korea now has about 60 nuclear warheads, up from 50 last year,. is increasing fissile material production sufficient for at least 30 more warheads.
Flags, gun salute greet China's Xi
Ties between China. North Korea are at a "new historical starting point", President Xi Jinping said on Monday in remarks published in the neighbour's state media as he arrived in Pyongyang for a rare summit with leader Kim Jong Un.
China's unwavering policy is to develop ties with the North. both will strengthen exchanges in all areas, Xi said in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper ahead of a visit seen as significant because it is his first international trip this year.
"We must oppose hegemony, authoritarianism. all attempts and conspiracies to revive militarism that endanger regional security and stability," Xi added, as Beijing looks to draw Pyongyang closer.
Read:With China's Xi in North Korea, Kim to project confidence, defiance
Xi arrived in Pyongyang to a red-carpet welcome from Kim. his wife Ri Sol Ju, alongside a guard of honour while children presented bouquets, Chinese state media showed.
A military band played both national anthems in a ceremony at the capital's Kim Il Sung Square, the site of past military parades. state celebrations.
A 21-gun salute was fired as spectators dwarfed by huge portraits of the leaders chanted slogans. released colourful balloons, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Chinese president, holds talks with Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse in Pyongyang, the DPRK, June 8, 2026. PHOTO: XINHUA
Flags line Pyongyang avenues
Flags of both countries lined the main avenues of the North Korean capital in a video issued byXinhua.
Xi is accompanied on the state visit by his wife Peng Liyuan, de facto chief of staff Cai Qi. Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He hosted Kim and other leaders last year at a massive military parade in Beijing, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Since then Pyongyang has resumed crossings at the Chinese border. stepped up exchanges frozen during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Air China restored flights between the capitals in March.
"The sustainability of improved North Korea-Russia. increasing North Korea-China relations may influence just how long Kim can continue to ignore Washington and Seoul," said Sydney Seiler, of Washington's Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
On the eve of Xi's arrival, Pyongyang sought to flex its strength by unveiling plans for a 10,000-ton naval destroyer. reaffirming its status as a nuclear-armed state.
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see ourComments FAQ
Discussion
Sign in to join the thread, react, and share images.