Read The Diplomat, Know The Asia-Pacific
The seven-year gap since Xi’s previous visit to North Korea suggests a cooling in bilateral relations. What does it mean that he made the trip to Pyongyang at last?
From June 8 to 9, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife made a state visit to Pyongyang. The high-level delegation accompanying them included Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau; Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of the Central Committee; and Dong Jun, Minister of National Defense.
The seven-year gap since Xi’s previous visit to North Korea suggests a cooling in bilateral relations, perhaps connected with North Korea’s recent involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Prior to the visit, several significant diplomatic developments took place. Xi met U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing from May 13 to 15, and the U.S. fact sheet about the summit reiterated the need for North Korean denuclearization. Chinese readouts were less specific. Prior to Xi’s arrival in Pyongyang, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un engaged in various displays to demonstrate that he has no intention of abandoning nuclear weapons.
