Chinese President Xi Jinping has concluded a two-day visit to Pyongyang, his first official trip to North Korea since 2019. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rolled out the red carpet and organized elaborate acrobatic performances to welcome Xi.

While no concrete deals emerged, Kim acknowledged the significance, stating that Xi's choice of Pyongyang for his first state visit of the year showed the "utmost importance" placed on bilateral ties. The visit comes as Beijing seeks to reassert influence over its strategically vital but unpredictable partner, which has drawn closer to Russia.

Analysts suggest Xi aimed to remind Kim that China remains his main benefactor. For Kim, hosting such a VIP—just weeks after Xi met with US and Russian leaders—demonstrates he has important friends despite ongoing international sanctions.

At a banquet, Xi praised relations, saying China and North Korea are "linked by mountains and rivers and share a common destiny." Kim reaffirmed friendship with China as a top priority and reiterated support for Beijing's "One China" principle.

Notably, discussions about North Korea's denuclearization were absent from official readouts, reflecting China's toned-down stance on the issue. Xi was accompanied by top officials, including his chief of staff, defense minister, foreign minister, and commerce minister.

The leaders visited the Friendship Tower and planted a fir tree at a cadre school. Despite the lavish displays, differences remain. Xi expressed hope to "jointly open up a brighter future for the socialist cause," but experts note China's frustration with North Korea's refusal to adopt its economic model.

Source: www.bbc.com