China Reinforces North Korea Ties

China Reinforces North Korea Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pyongyang for two days, concluding on June 8, 2026, to strengthen bilateral relations with North Korea. This marks Xi's first overseas trip of the year and his first visit to North Korea in seven years, signaling Beijing's intent to deepen engagement with the reclusive nation amidst evolving regional dynamics.

The visit underscores the historical alliance between China and North Korea, which dates back to the Korean War and is formalized by the 1961 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. This treaty obligates China to provide military intervention if North Korea is attacked. Despite past strains over North Korea's nuclear ambitions, which China condemned in 2006, 2009, 2013, and 2016, Beijing has actively worked to repair ties since 2018. This rapprochement includes high-level meetings between Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and the renewal of their defense treaty for another 20 years in 2021.

North Korea remains heavily reliant on China, which accounts for approximately 95% of its international trade. In 2024, North Korea's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was estimated at $26.6 billion, reflecting a 3.7% increase from the previous year. China supplies essential goods such as petroleum, food, and machinery, while importing products like cosmetics, iron, and steel from North Korea. This economic dependency highlights China's critical role in North Korea's survival, even as Pyongyang strengthens its relationship with Russia, particularly following a mutual defense pact signed in the wake of the Ukraine war.