Xi will visit North Korea from Monday to Tuesday, according to information released by China and North Korea on Friday. His last visit was in June 2019.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to make a state visit to North Korea next week. The visit, his first since 2019, is seen as China's attempt to re-establish its influence and strategic ties with Pyongyang.
China and North Korea announced on Friday that Xi will visit North Korea from Monday to Tuesday. His last visit was in June 2019.
The visit comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been increasingly close to Russia in recent years. North Korea has been accused of providing military and conventional weapons to Russia, particularly in support of the war in Ukraine. However, China remains North Korea's largest trading partner and main aid provider.
According to William Yang, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, China is seeking to re-establish its influence in Pyongyang and secure its strategic interests in Northeast Asia as North Korea's relations with Russia expand.
Xi's visit comes after high-level meetings with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. It is also seen as an attempt by China to strengthen its role in the regional and international balance of power.
The announcement of the visit came a day after North Korea unveiled a new facility capable of producing materials needed to build a nuclear bomb. The South Korean military has assessed the structure as a uranium enrichment center.
During the inspection of the center, Kim announced plans to rapidly increase the country's nuclear power. According to experts, this indicates that North Korea is trying to present itself more strongly as a nuclear power before Xi's visit.
According to analysts, Kim wants to have North Korea internationally recognized as a nuclear power and remove or ease sanctions. It is also estimated that his strategy is to obtain political and economic concessions in exchange for partial reductions in its nuclear program in possible future talks with the United States.
After diplomatic efforts with Trump failed in 2019, Kim has prioritized expanding his nuclear program. Trump has expressed a desire to resume talks. But North Korea has insisted that meaningful dialogue will only be possible if the United States stops making denuclearization a precondition.
Xi and Kim pledged to increase mutual cooperation and support during their meeting in Beijing last September. Kim was in Beijing at the time to attend a Chinese military parade.
Russia and China have in the past opposed U.S. efforts to impose tougher international sanctions on North Korea. Putin and Xi also opposed economic sanctions, political isolation, and military pressure on North Korea during their meeting in Beijing last month.
In recent years, Kim has advocated for a multipolar world order and has pursued a policy of expanding relations with countries at odds with the United States and its allies.
The visit is also considered important for Xi, who has reduced his foreign trips following the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts say the visit to North Korea will send a new message not only to China-North Korea relations but also to the security and power equation in Northeast Asia.
