Xi May Visit North Korea After 7 Years as China Moves to Reassert Influence
Updated
Updated · Foreign Policy · May 27
Xi May Visit North Korea After 7 Years as China Moves to Reassert Influence
2 articles · Updated · Foreign Policy · May 27
Summary
Chinese security and protocol teams have reportedly arrived in Pyongyang, signaling Xi Jinping could visit North Korea in late May or early June for his first trip there since June 2019.
The expected visit reflects Beijing’s push to reset ties around North Korea’s de facto nuclear status while countering deeper U.S.-Japan-South Korea security cooperation.
Russia’s growing sway over Kim Jong Un has added urgency, with China seeking to pull Pyongyang back toward Beijing through renewed top-level engagement and possible economic and security incentives.
Economic aims also matter: better ties could revive access to the Tumen River and North Korea’s Rajin-Rason zone, offering a potential boost to China’s stagnant northeast.
For Kim, hosting Xi would bring backing from the world’s No. 2 power, strengthening his legitimacy and preserving China’s role in any future diplomacy with Washington.
How might Xi Jinping’s visit reshape the power balance between China, Russia, North Korea, and US-aligned Asian allies?
What economic or security breakthroughs could emerge from the Xi-Kim summit that might surprise the international community?
Could China's tacit acceptance of North Korea's nuclear status set a precedent for other nations seeking nuclear capabilities?
Xi Jinping’s 2026 North Korea Visit: Strategic Realignment and Intensifying Northeast Asian Rivalries
Overview
In early June 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit North Korea, marking his first trip to Pyongyang since 2019. Preparations for this high-profile summit are evident, with notable logistical movements such as an Air China Cargo flight from Beijing landing in Pyongyang on June 3, 2026. This visit comes as both countries seek to strengthen their alliance amid shifting regional dynamics and rising tensions with the United States and its allies. The summit highlights China's intent to reinforce its influence over North Korea, while Pyongyang aims to boost its international standing and secure vital support from Beijing.