China’s Xi Jinping arrives in North Korea

Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Pyongyang on Monday for a two-day visit, marking his first trip to North Korea since 2019. In an article published by the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper, Xi highlighted the enduring "combat friendship forged in blood" and the comradely bond of mutual trust between the two nations, stating they have withstood the tests of time and global changes.

Xi pledged to deepen strategic communication and foster frequent interactions between the two countries' parties, governments, and militaries, likening their relationship to that of "relatives." He expressed China's willingness to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic height and promote its development in line with contemporary times, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

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Standing at a new historical starting point… China is willing to work with the DPRK to take the bilateral relationship to a strategic height, and promote its greater development in keeping with the times.

This state visit is widely interpreted as a reciprocal diplomatic move after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Beijing last September. During that visit, Kim attended a large-scale military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The ceremony notably featured Xi, Kim, and Russian President Vladimir Putin standing together in Tiananmen Square, a rare display of solidarity among nations facing increasing pressure from the United States and its allies.

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The combat friendship forged in blood and comradely bond of mutual trust between the two countries stood the test of time and the changing international landscape.