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Kim Jong Un Welcomes Xi Jinping Amid Deepening Russia Ties
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

Kim Jong Un Welcomes Xi Jinping Amid Deepening Russia Ties

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping for a two-day visit, aiming to strengthen ties amid regional dynamics.
  • Xi's visit, his first in seven years, seeks to reassert China's influence over Pyongyang, which has deepened military and trade ties with Russia.
  • Analysts suggest North Korea benefits economically from its military support for Russia, potentially strengthening its position in trade with China.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang for a significant two-day summit, marking Xi's first visit to the isolated nation in seven years. The meeting underscores a strategic effort by China to draw North Korea back into its orbit, particularly as Pyongyang has forged closer military and trade relationships with Russia.

Having Xi visit Pyongyang is a big deal and the culmination of a good couple of 'comeback' years for Kim.

— Andrew GilholmAn analyst at consultancy Control Risks commenting on the significance of Xi's visit for Kim Jong Un.

Kim appears to be in a position of strength, bolstered by his alliance with Russia, a developed nuclear arsenal, and a perceived lack of interest in engaging with Washington. For Xi, the visit is part of an initiative to reaffirm China's influence, contrasting with Xi's 2019 visit which occurred after a breakdown in denuclearization talks between Kim and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Since that period, North Korea has significantly bolstered its ties with Moscow, including providing troops for the Ukraine war, and has continued to advance its nuclear capabilities in defiance of UN sanctions. The country has also maintained strict border controls to prevent escapees. On the eve of Xi's arrival, North Korea announced plans for a 10,000-ton naval destroyer, reaffirming its status as a nuclear-armed state.

North Korea is certainly gaining economically from what they're able to provide militarily to Russia.

— John DeluryA senior fellow of the Asia Society discussing the economic benefits North Korea receives from its ties with Russia.

Analysts note that North Korea's military support for Russia has provided economic benefits, potentially empowering Pyongyang to increase trade and investment with China. While relations between Beijing and Pyongyang have seen strains, particularly over North Korea's nuclear program, China's support offers a crucial balance to North Korea's reliance on Russia. The summit is expected to focus on economic cooperation, as North Korea embarks on a five-year development plan that includes expanding tourism and housing construction, sectors heavily impacted by its strict COVID-19 border closures.

That actually puts North Korea in a position where they may feel more confident to increase the volume of trade and investment with China.

— John DeluryA senior fellow of the Asia Society on how military support for Russia impacts North Korea's trade with China.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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