Xi Jinping set to meet Kim Jong-un in North Korea, as China seeks to revitalise relationship

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to embark on a two-day visit to North Korea, marking his first trip to the country in almost seven years. The summit, expected to include a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang, signals Beijing's intention to revitalize its relationship with its long-standing, albeit junior, ally.

The China-North Korea relationship has faced significant strain in recent years. A virtual freeze on trade during the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted bilateral commerce. Concurrently, North Korea has forged increasingly close ties with Russia, a development that likely complicates Beijing's strategic calculus in the region.

This visit comes at a time when China seeks to reassert its influence and mend diplomatic ties. The revitalization of the relationship is seen as crucial for both regional stability and China's broader geopolitical objectives. The details of their discussions remain to be seen, but the meeting is expected to address key issues impacting the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.