Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un deepen ties amid US uncertainty

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang for a lavish two-day summit on June 8-9, 2026, marking Xi's first visit to the isolated nation in seven years. The summit, characterized by a strong display of Cold War-era pageantry, signaled a significant warming of relations between the two countries, which had seen some friction due to North Korea's deepening alliance with Russia.

Kim Jong Un hailed the visit as the start of a "new era" for Sino-North Korean relations, emphasizing his strategic priority to build stronger ties with Beijing. This comes after North Korea signed a mutual defense treaty with Moscow in 2024 and deployed troops to the Ukraine war. Xi Jinping, in turn, pledged to advance the relationship, seeking to present a united front against perceived external threats, particularly from a potential future American administration led by Donald Trump.

Despite the renewed camaraderie and promises of enhanced cooperation, the two leaders reportedly sidestepped discussions on North Korea's nuclear ambitions. This omission suggests that while China remains North Korea's primary ally and economic lifeline, Beijing may still be hesitant to fully endorse Pyongyang's nuclear program. The summit underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in East Asia, with both nations seeking to bolster their positions amid regional and global uncertainties.

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The strengthening of ties with Beijing on "more solid foundations" will be "my strategic priority."