Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The two nuclear nations seem to be trying to reinforce their already close ties.
The Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, has not been to North Korea since 2019 — seven years ago.
Well, that is about to change.
The Associated Press reported on Friday that Xi Jinping will travel to North Korea on June 8 and 9 for a state visit, just weeks after Xi hosted both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing.
State media in both countries confirmed the upcoming trip. Bloomberg also noted that satellite imagery from June 4 showed Pyongyang preparing for a major arrival.
The timing matters because North Korea has been growing much closer to Russia, even sending troops to help fight in Ukraine. China now wants to secure its own regional interests.
Keeping close watch
Experts believe Beijing wants to remind everyone who holds the real power. An analyst at the International Crisis Group, William Yang, explained the strategy behind the move.
“As North Korea builds closer ties with Russia, China seeks to use Xi’s trip to reassert its influence over Pyongyang and safeguard its strategic interests in Northeast Asia,” Yang said.
Meanwhile, official statements from China claim the upcoming visit is entirely about regional peace. On Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning praised the deep connection.
“The traditional friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK have continued to develop in a sound and stable manner, bringing tangible benefits to both countries and their peoples,” Mao said.
But beneath the friendly talk, nuclear tensions are rising fast. The UN has maintained strict sanctions on North Korea for years because of its weapons tests.
Growing nuclear fears
Just before the announcement, North Korea unveiled a new uranium enrichment facility. During a tour, Kim Jong Un announced plans to expand his nuclear arsenal “at an exponential rate.”
This aligns with global warnings. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said on April 15 that North Korea had significantly increased its nuclear weapons capacity, pointing to activity at the Yongbyon complex.
Analysts say Kim wants the world to accept his country as a nuclear state in order to pressure the United States into lifting strict economic sanctions.
Beijing and Moscow have often protected North Korea from UN penalties. Even so, the world will watch this rare trip closely.
