Chinese President Xi Jinping tells North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that the two countries should “enhance exchanges” across diplomacy, law enforcement and military affairs during a meeting in Pyongyang, according to China’s Xinhua. The reported emphasis on military and security cooperation comes as analysts say North Korea is gaining strategic importance for China, including in the context of managing relations with the United States.
Both outlets note that while Xi and Kim pledge to strengthen strategic communications, the statements following the meeting do not include denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. This omission is contrasted with Xi’s earlier 2019 visit. They also point to changes in the meeting format: Xi and Kim are accompanied by their defence ministers, Dong Jun and No Kwang-chol. Korea Times reports this is the first time since 1992 that a Chinese defence minister has accompanied a Chinese president to North Korea, and the first known case of a senior Chinese defence official visiting the country since 2019.
Analysts quoted in the reports say North Korea may avoid escalating military ties with Beijing even as China seeks closer coordination.
