China’s Xi, North Korea’s Kim pledge to boost ties at rare Pyongyang summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping committed to strengthening ties with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a rare two-day visit to Pyongyang that concluded on June 21, 2024. The summit, the first by a Chinese head of state to North Korea in 14 years, aimed to reaffirm their alliance and discuss regional security. Both leaders pledged to elevate bilateral relations to a "new high" and enhance strategic cooperation. Xi emphasized China's support for North Korea's socialist path and its efforts to develop its economy. Kim, in turn, expressed his country's commitment to deepening the "traditional friendship" between the two nations. The leaders also discussed the Korean Peninsula situation and agreed to maintain strategic communication to promote regional peace and stability. This visit underscores the enduring strategic partnership between China and North Korea, particularly in the face of evolving geopolitical dynamics.