Xi Jinping visits North Korea as Kim Jong Un projects strength and defiance

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang this week, in a highly symbolic two-day summit that highlights shifting power dynamics in Northeast Asia and a renewed push by Beijing to reassert influence over its long-time ally.

The visit marks Xi’s first trip to North Korea in seven years and comes at a moment when Kim appears more confident than ever. Backed by deeper military cooperation with Russia, an expanding nuclear arsenal, and limited interest in dialogue with Washington, Pyongyang is projecting an image of defiance rather than isolation.

For China, the meeting is part of a broader effort to pull North Korea back into its strategic orbit after years of drift. Relations between Beijing and Pyongyang had cooled at times, especially over North Korea’s repeated nuclear tests, which China has publicly opposed. However, recent diplomatic exchanges and the partial restoration of transport links suggest a gradual warming.

Analysts say this summit will look very different from Xi’s previous visit to Pyongyang in 2019, which came shortly after the collapse of talks between Kim and then-US President Donald Trump on denuclearisation. Since then, North Korea has doubled down on its military ambitions and strengthened ties with Moscow, including reported troop deployments in support of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

In the days leading up to Xi’s arrival, North Korea has already signalled its stance. State media announced plans for a new 10,000-ton naval destroyer and reaffirmed the country’s position as a nuclear-armed state. The messaging reflects Kim’s intent to enter negotiations from a position of strength rather than dependence.

Experts believe the summit’s primary focus will likely be economic cooperation rather than security concessions. North Korea, under its new five-year development plan, is prioritising tourism, housing expansion, and economic revival after years of pandemic isolation. Before COVID-19, Chinese tourists accounted for the vast majority of foreign visitors, making them a crucial source of foreign currency.

With border controls now easing, Pyongyang is cautiously reopening limited tourism routes, including small groups from Russia. However, China remains the only realistic large-scale partner capable of reviving the sector.

Despite economic discussions, the nuclear issue remains a clear red line. Kim has recently called for an “exponential expansion” of nuclear weapons production, reinforcing his commitment to deterrence. Analysts suggest Beijing is unlikely to push aggressively on denuclearisation, instead prioritising regional stability and influence.

As Xi arrives in Pyongyang, the optics are expected to be carefully choreographed—balancing friendship, power, and strategic caution. For Kim Jong Un, the summit is a chance to showcase global relevance. For Xi Jinping, it is a calculated move to ensure North Korea does not drift entirely beyond China’s reach.