Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea from June 8 to 9, marking his first trip to the country in nearly seven years as Beijing moves to strengthen relations with its long-time ally.
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According to Chinese state media, Xi will travel to Pyongyang at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The visit comes at a time when China is seeking to reinforce its influence over North Korea amid evolving regional dynamics and Pyongyang’s growing ties with Russia.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, will pay a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) from June 8 to 9 at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of… pic.twitter.com/t5WzsJvkOo
— CCTV+ (@CCTV_Plus) June 5, 2026
The announcement follows a series of high-profile diplomatic engagements by Xi, including recent meetings in Beijing with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Analysts view the upcoming visit as a signal of Beijing’s intent to remain a central player in developments involving the Korean Peninsula.
Relations between China and North Korea were affected during the Covid-19 pandemic, when border restrictions and limited exchanges reduced contact between the two countries. In recent months, however, both sides have taken steps to restore engagement. Passenger train services between Beijing and Pyongyang resumed in March after a six-year suspension, while air links have also been restarted.
Observers say the visit reflects China’s efforts to maintain strong ties with its only formal treaty ally while balancing broader regional interests. It also comes as North Korea continues to expand its military and nuclear capabilities.
This week, North Korean state media reported that Kim visited a newly operational nuclear material production facility and called for an expansion of the country’s nuclear arsenal. Experts believe the timing of the announcement may be linked to Xi’s upcoming trip.
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The visit will be Xi’s first overseas journey of the year and is expected to focus on bilateral cooperation, regional stability and strategic coordination between the two neighbouring countries.