Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un underscored their commitment to deepen cooperation in a closely watched summit Monday, as Xi made his first visit to Pyongyang in seven years. The meeting aimed to reassert Beijing's influence over its socialist neighbor amid separate confrontations with the United States.
Xi arrived at Pyongyang's international airport where he and his wife Peng Liyuan were greeted by Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju. Thousands of people gathered in the city's main square for a welcoming ceremony, with buildings draped in both countries' flags and banners celebrating their "friendship and unity."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics view Xi's visit as part of China's broader strategy to undermine U.S. diplomatic efforts on North Korea's nuclear program. Human rights advocates point to Beijing's role as North Korea's economic lifeline, saying China has avoided fully enforcing United Nations sanctions designed to pressure Pyongyang toward denuclearization.
"Implementing U.N. Security Council resolutions and enforcing sanctions do not appear to be priorities for China," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "Chinese officials have taken the position of not speaking publicly about denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula while still maintaining it as a long-term goal."
Democrats have also raised concerns about North Korea's deepening relationship with Russia, which has included supplying troops and weapons to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, recently dismissed U.S. denuclearization demands as an "anachronistic dream," echoing her brother's position.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservatives frame Xi's visit as a strategic move by Beijing to expand its influence in Northeast Asia amid competition with the United States. Analysts say restoring exclusive leverage over North Korea could strengthen China's negotiating position with President Donald Trump, who has expressed interest in restarting diplomacy with Kim.
"Xi will try to demonstrate China's 'sway over the Korean Peninsula' and 'a leadership role in entire Northeast Asia in the age of strategic competition with the U.S.,'" said Kwak Gil Sup, head of One Korea Center. Republicans argue that China benefits from a nuclear North Korea as a counterweight to U.S. regional alliances.
Kwak noted that "North Korea can't solely rely on Russia. It needs to align with China." Some Republican foreign policy voices contend that Xi may offer Kim economic aid packages including rice shipments, fertilizers, and resumption of Chinese group tourism while refraining from pressing him on denuclearization.
What the Numbers Show
Two-way trade volume between China and North Korea recovered to pre-pandemic levels last year. The countries also resumed direct flights and passenger trains earlier this year that had been stalled since the COVID-19 pandemic. This year marks 65 years since the two nations signed their mutual defense treaty.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung told reporters Monday that North Korea is producing enough nuclear ingredients annually for approximately 10 to 20 bombs and is close to perfecting intercontinental ballistic missile technology. Last week, Kim unveiled a new plant to produce nuclear ingredients and vowed to bolster the country's nuclear forces "at an exponential rate."
Xi expressed China's willingness to expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, construction, and technology during summit talks, according to China's state broadcaster CCTV.
The Bottom Line
The Xi-Kim summit highlights how both leaders are seeking to strengthen their traditional alliance as they face separate confrontations with Washington. Xi aims to demonstrate Beijing's influence over Pyongyang ahead of a planned meeting between the Chinese president and Trump in September.
For Kim, Xi's visit provides diplomatic cover as he pushes for international recognition as a nuclear weapons state and seeks relief from U.N. sanctions. The North Korean leader has focused on enlarging his nuclear arsenal since high-stakes diplomacy with Trump collapsed in 2019, though he has said he retains "good personal memories" of the American president.
Analysts will be watching whether Monday's summit produces concrete agreements on economic cooperation or joint projects that could further complicate efforts to curb North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.