Kim and Xi agree to expand political, economic and cultural cooperation

PYONGYANG: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to deepen cooperation in politics, the economy and culture during their summit in Pyongyang, which said the meeting opened a new chapter in bilateral ties.

On his first visit in seven years to China’s only formal treaty ally, Xi told Kim he wanted to advance relations between the two countries. Both leaders agreed to pursue closer strategic communication through exchanges by senior officials. The North Korean agency also reported that Kim told Xi he would fully support the One China principle regardless of changes in the international situation.

The principle refers to Beijing’s position that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one country. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has never ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control, while Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

China’s official Xinhua news agency said Xi visited Pyongyang’s Sino-Korean Friendship Tower on Tuesday, a monument to Chinese soldiers who died in the Korean War. The two leaders also planted a fir tree at a major political training school for party cadres, with Xinhua describing it as a symbol of ever-renewing friendship.

Different emphasis in official accounts

Although both sides highlighted goodwill, analysts said the official readouts reflected different priorities. Xinhua gave details of proposals including high-level exchanges, trade, agriculture and the restoration of transport links, while KCNA portrayed the summit more broadly as an arrangement between equal partners.

Lim Eul-chul, a professor at South Korea’s Kyungnam University, said Pyongyang stressed regime dignity and the neighbours’ special relationship, while Beijing focused on practical state-to-state ties and its approach to international order.

Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said North Korea had removed elements that could make it appear subordinate or dependent and instead recast the relationship as one between equals. He said the North also highlighted signs of solidarity, including anti-United States and Taiwan-related messaging, while omitting indications of dependence.

China is North Korea’s largest trading partner, and analysts said Xi’s trip could centre on trade and tourism. A Beijing doctor identified only as Zhu said there were good hopes for relations between the two countries, but added that a gap still remained. She said the two sides could sometimes appear friendly on the surface while still having many issues in reality.

Ceremonial events and wider context

KCNA said Xi and first lady Peng Liyuan attended a performance of Chinese and North Korean songs alongside Kim, his wife Ri Sol Ju and senior officials. The songs underscored the value and closeness of friendship between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and China.

Kim also hosted a banquet for Xi and his delegation. Xi expressed his wish to share friendship with Kim and said relations between the neighbours had reached a new historical starting point at an event marking the 65th anniversary of their friendship treaty. Xinhua had earlier reported that Xi said Beijing would not deviate from its commitment to protecting common interests.

North Korean state media did not say whether Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme or ties with the United States were discussed. Ja Ian Chong, a political science professor at the National University of Singapore, said the lack of any mention suggested Beijing wanted the visit framed around bilateral ties.

During his first term, US President Donald Trump met Kim three times before that diplomatic push collapsed over US demands that North Korea give up its nuclear weapons. Trump has said he would be open to restarting talks. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said it was highly likely that Chinese and North Korean leaders would confer before any new Kim-Trump meeting, but he doubted Xi would act as a catalyst for renewed US-North Korea negotiations. South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said Xi was due to return to China on Tuesday afternoon.