North Korea's Kim Jong Un and China's Xi Jinping met in Pyongyang and agreed to expand cooperation across political, economic and cultural areas, KCNA reported. Kim affirmed support for the "One China" principle while Xi — on his first visit in seven years — pledged to advance bilateral ties and deepen strategic communication. Cultural performances and a state banquet marked the visit, described by Xi as a "new historical starting point" on the 65th anniversary of their treaty. KCNA did not report any discussions on North Korea's nuclear programme or relations with the United States.
Kim and Xi Pledge Closer Political, Economic and Cultural Ties During Pyongyang Summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watch a march-past as Kim holds a welcome ceremony for Xi at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea June 8, 2026. Yin Bogu/Xinhua via REUTERS
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Pyongyang on Monday and agreed to broaden cooperation across political, economic and cultural fields, state media KCNA reported on Tuesday.
Details Of The Visit
KCNA said the two leaders committed to developing bilateral ties into a "new chapter." During the meeting, Kim reaffirmed full support for the "One China" principle, which Beijing interprets as asserting that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to a single country regardless of changes in the international environment.
Xi — on his first visit to North Korea in seven years — said he intended to use the trip to achieve "significant progress" in relations between the two countries. KCNA added that the leaders agreed to deepen strategic communication, including through exchanges and visits by senior officials.
Ceremonies, Cultural Events And Banquet
Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, attended an artistic performance alongside Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, at a Pyongyang gymnasium. KCNA described the program, attended by high-ranking officials and Pyongyang citizens, as featuring Chinese and North Korean songs that underscored "the value and closeness of DPRK-China friendship" and were "full of patriotism, revolutionary spirit and national sentiments."
Kim hosted a state banquet for Xi and his delegation. In remarks reported by KCNA, Xi said he was pleased to "share friendship" with Kim and thanked North Korean officials for their "enthusiastic welcome." Marking the 65th anniversary of the bilateral treaty on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance, Xi described the visit as launching a "new historical starting point" in relations between the two countries.
What Was Not Reported
North Korean state media did not report whether the leaders discussed Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme or relations with the United States. China's official Xinhua news agency also covered Xi's trip, saying Beijing would not waver in defending shared interests.
Expert View: Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said it is "highly likely" the two governments would consult before any future meeting between Kim and former U.S. President Donald Trump, but he expressed doubt that Xi would act as a catalyst for renewed U.S.-North Korea negotiations.
Analysts note that China is North Korea's largest trading partner, and many observers expect Xi's visit to emphasize trade, tourism and economic cooperation. South Korean media reported Xi was likely to visit the Sino-Korean Friendship Tower, which commemorates Chinese soldiers who died in the Korean War, before returning to China on Tuesday afternoon with a formal farewell ceremony expected at the airport.
(Reporting by Heejin Kim; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani, Ed Davies and Lincoln Feast.)
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