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Xi Jinping Visits North Korea Seeking 'New Historical Starting Point'
🇪🇸 Spain /Elections & Politics

Xi Jinping Visits North Korea Seeking 'New Historical Starting Point'

From El País · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang for a two-day state visit, the first by a Chinese leader since 2019.
  • The visit aims to reaffirm ties and establish a "new historical starting point" for relations between China and North Korea.
  • Xi's trip follows North Korea's closer alignment with Russia and occurs amid global shifts caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Pyongyang on Monday for a highly anticipated two-day state visit, marking the first trip by a Chinese head of state to North Korea since 2019. The visit underscores Beijing's commitment to strengthening ties with its neighbor, particularly after a period where North Korea has deepened its relationship with Russia.

Upon arrival, Xi, accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan, was greeted by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife, Ri Sol-ju. State media reported a "warm" handshake between the leaders and a flower presentation by children, though detailed accounts of the visit's agenda remain scarce.

The relations between the two countries are at a 'new historical starting point.'

— Xi JinpingIn an article published in Rodong Sinmun newspaper before his arrival.

In an article published in the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper prior to his arrival, Xi declared that relations between China and North Korea stand at a "new historical starting point." He emphasized China's unwavering policy to develop bilateral ties and pledged to enhance exchanges across all sectors. Xi characterized the friendship between the two nations as "forged in blood" during wartime, a bond of camaraderie and mutual trust that has endured international changes.

China's unwavering policy is to develop ties with North Korea, and both will strengthen exchanges in all fields.

— Xi JinpingStating China's commitment to bilateral relations.

This visit can be seen as a reciprocal gesture following Kim Jong-un's trip to Beijing last September for the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. That occasion provided Kim with a diplomatic platform, placing him alongside global leaders and in a prominent seat next to Xi during a military parade.

The geopolitical landscape has significantly shifted since Xi's last visit in 2019. The global pandemic led to North Korea's increased isolation, while the conflict in Ukraine has created opportunities for closer ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. North Korea, seeking military support, has reportedly received economic aid and potential advancements in its nuclear program in return, according to South Korean intelligence.

A friendship 'forged in blood' in combat, and a bond of camaraderie and mutual trust that has withstood the test of time and the changing international landscape.

— Xi JinpingDescribing the historical relationship between China and North Korea.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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