Xi Jinping to Visit North Korea Next Week
On Friday, China announced that Xi Jinping will travel to North Korea next week, marking his first visit since 2019. This trip appears to be aimed at bolstering ties with the neighboring nation, especially given North Korea’s increasing alignment with Russia.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, Xi is set to visit North Korea on June 8th and 9th, following an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This visit has been confirmed by the International Department of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mentioned that Xi’s second state visit will provide an opportunity to discuss “bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.”
She added, “In recent years, under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un, the traditional friendly and cooperative relationship between China and North Korea has maintained healthy and steady growth, benefitting both nations and their people.”
Mao also pointed out that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between China and North Korea. She emphasized that the upcoming visit will be a chance for both countries to advance their relations further, focusing on peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region.
The treaty, signed in July 1961, is China’s only formal military alliance with another country, creating obligations for mutual assistance in times of attack. Though it was set to expire in 2021 amidst strained relations due to the pandemic, Xi and Kim renewed it for another 20 years, demonstrating their ongoing support for each other.
Observers suggest that Xi’s trip is also aimed at reasserting China’s leadership role within the so-called Axis of Oppression as North Korea moves closer to Russia, particularly with North Korean support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. In exchange, North Korea benefits from financial and other support from Russia.
William Yang, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted that as North Korea strengthens ties with Russia, Xi’s visit is a way to solidify China’s influence over the country and safeguard its strategic interests in Northeast Asia.
Reports indicate that North Korea is significantly dependent on China, with about 95% of its trade and 85% of its exports linked to China. However, China is becoming increasingly cautious about North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, which can be fueled by resources from Russia.
Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification mentioned that Xi might be looking to “manage” Kim’s rapid nuclear development and maintain South Korea’s perception of China as a potential mediator, which could be useful diplomatically.
He also cautioned that any aggressive behavior from North Korea could create conflicts that would not align with China’s interests.
BBC reports that while Kim enjoys the “propaganda value” tied to Xi’s visit, further enhancing North Korea’s global profile, Xi may have trepidations about the strengthening partnership between Kim and Putin.
Kim is keen to showcase his arsenal and the capital city of Pyongyang to visiting dignitaries, demonstrating that he’s achieved this success independently of the United States or through engagement with South Korea.
Furthermore, when Xi met with Putin recently, a joint statement was made concerning their opposition to actions seen as threatening North Korea’s security through diplomatic isolation, sanctions, and military pressure. This has been interpreted as an indication of a strengthening trilateral cooperation between North Korea, China, and Russia.
