China's Xi to visit North Korea as Beijing seeks cosier ties with Pyongyang

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 20, 2026. REUTERS

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea from Jun 8 to 9, state news agency Xinhua said on Friday, his first trip in nearly seven years as Beijing looks to reinforce ties with Pyongyang.

The announcement follows separate summits Xi hosted in Beijing for US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. Trump, who met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times in his first term, previously said he would be open ‌to meeting the North Korean leader again.

Kim was a guest at a massive military parade in Beijing last September, travelling to the Chinese capital on his signature green armoured train.

Beijing has worked to draw Pyongyang - its only formal treaty ally - back into its fold, after the COVID-19 pandemic froze exchanges and the North Korean leader deepened relations with Moscow by sending troops and weapons to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine.