Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit North Korea for the first time in nearly seven years, in a trip that is expected to highlight North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s increasingly active foreign policy and his efforts to strengthen ties with traditional allies.
The visit comes as North Korea seeks to balance its growing relationship with Russia while renewing closer cooperation with China, its biggest economic partner and longtime ally. It will be the first meeting between Xi and Kim since the North Korean leader visited Beijing in September 2025 for events marking the anniversary of the end of World War II.
Kim looking for economic support
Analysts say Kim is likely seeking stronger economic cooperation with China after spending recent years deepening ties with Russia, including sending troops and military supplies to support Moscow's war in Ukraine.
While North Korea is believed to be receiving military assistance and other benefits from Russia, experts say Kim needs greater economic support from China if he hopes to improve living standards at home.
According to analysts, discussions could include restarting Chinese tourism to North Korea, opening a long-completed bridge over the Yalu River that has never been used, and exploring joint economic projects in border areas shared by North Korea, China and Russia.
Observers also note that Kim may see closer ties with China as useful if he eventually decides to reopen diplomacy with the United States. His previous talks with US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 over disagreements on sanctions and North Korea's nuclear programme.
North Korea has so far rejected Trump's recent offers to resume talks, insisting that Washington first abandon its demand for denuclearisation as a condition for negotiations.
China aims to restore influence
For China, the visit offers an opportunity to strengthen its influence over a traditional ally that has recently moved closer to Russia.
Experts say Beijing is likely concerned about the growing relationship between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin and may seek to rebalance North Korea's foreign relations through economic incentives and food assistance.
Xi's trip is also significant because it marks his first overseas visit of 2026. Analysts say the visit sends a message that China intends to remain a key player in shaping security issues on the Korean Peninsula.
Recent developments also suggest China may be taking a more pragmatic approach toward North Korea's nuclear ambitions. During a visit to Pyongyang in April, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met
Kim, and observers noted that official statements did not mention denuclearisation, a term China has traditionally used when discussing North Korea.
Some analysts believe this could indicate that Beijing is increasingly accepting the reality of North Korea's nuclear status while focusing on maintaining stability and countering US influence in the region.
A warmer relationship, but limits remain
Experts expect Kim to give Xi a grand welcome during the visit, reflecting the importance of relations between the two countries.
However, they also say North Korea's leader is now more confident on the international stage and may be less willing to follow China's wishes than in the past.
While the visit is expected to strengthen political ties and economic cooperation, analysts believe North Korea will continue pursuing an independent foreign policy aimed at balancing relations with both China and Russia while protecting its own interests.