Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a state visit to North Korea on Monday and Tuesday, his first in seven years.
Xi Jinping published a signed article in the DPRK's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun, stating that China-DPRK relations stand at a new historical starting point facing new development opportunities and missions of the times. He said maintaining and developing the relationship has always been an unwavering policy of the CPC and Chinese government. The two sides should deepen strategic communication and uphold high-level exchanges. A day before the visit, Kim Yo-jong, head of the Workers’ Party’s general affairs department, said the DPRK’s nuclear programme is an “irreversible final conclusion” and rejected US calls for denuclearisation as an “anachronistic dream”. Analysts note the trip aims to highlight China’s economic support while addressing Pyongyang’s growing ties with Moscow.