Chinese President Xi Jinping said ties between China and North Korea are at a "new historical starting point" during a state visit to Pyongyang [1].

This diplomatic push signals a strategic realignment as China seeks to solidify its influence and reaffirm support for Kim Jong Un amid shifting regional geopolitics [1].

The visit, which took place June 8-9, 2024, lasted two days [2]. It marked the first official trip by the Chinese leader to North Korea since 2019 [2]. Some reports described the meeting as the first visit in seven years [3].

During the summit, Xi said the meeting represented a "new start for our comprehensive strategic partnership" [1]. He said China would not waver in its support for Kim Jong Un or swerve from its commitment to safeguarding common interests with the North Korean state [4].

The high-level engagement comes as both nations navigate tensions with the U.S. and other regional powers. By strengthening bilateral cooperation, China aims to maintain a stable buffer state on its border while ensuring Kim Jong Un remains a viable partner in the East Asian security architecture [1].

Xi said the two nations are entering a phase of deeper cooperation. The discussions in Pyongyang focused on reaffirming the ideological and strategic bonds that link the two communist governments [1, 4].

“Ties between China and North Korea are at a "new historical starting point".”

The resumption of high-level state visits after a multi-year hiatus suggests a pivot toward a more assertive alliance. By explicitly backing Kim Jong Un, China is signaling to the U.S. and its allies that it will continue to provide a diplomatic and economic shield for Pyongyang, potentially complicating international efforts to curtail North Korean weapons programs.