PYONGYANG — Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a two-day state visit to North Korea on Tuesday, his first trip to the country in seven years, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with Pyongyang.
Xi arrived in Pyongyang on Monday and held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, state media from both countries reported. The leaders agreed to expand cooperation across political, economic and cultural fields, according to North Korea's official KCNA news agency.
The visit, which marked the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea mutual aid and cooperation treaty, included ceremonial events at Kim Il Sung Square and a state banquet. Xi was accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan, while Kim was joined by his wife Ri Sol-ju.
On Tuesday, Xi visited the Sino-Korean Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, which commemorates Chinese soldiers who died in the Korean War, and both leaders planted a tree, Xinhua news agency said.
"The mutual understanding between China and North Korea has become deeper and more comprehensive, and the direction of future development has become clearer and more defined," Xi said at a luncheon before his departure, according to Xinhua.
China is North Korea's main political and economic backer, providing vital trade and diplomatic support. The visit comes as North Korea has strengthened relations with Russia in recent years, analysts have noted.
Details of specific agreements from the summit remained limited in public statements. KCNA reported that the two sides opened a new chapter in their ties, but North Korean media made no mention of nuclear issues.
Xi's previous visit to North Korea was in 2019. The current trip was announced on June 5 by the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party.
The leaders committed to regional peace and development amid what Xi described as "profound changes unseen in a century," state media reported. No specific outcomes on trade volumes or security matters were detailed in initial reports.
North Korea's economy has shown signs of growth, with reports citing a 3.7% GDP increase in 2024, its fastest in eight years, partly driven by trade with China, though conditions remain challenging for much of the population.
As Xi departed Pyongyang, officials from both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the meetings, though further details on implementation of any agreements were not immediately available.
The two countries maintain a formal treaty alliance dating back to 1961. China has consistently called for stability on the Korean Peninsula while opposing unilateral sanctions not approved by the United Nations Security Council. North Korea has conducted multiple missile tests in recent years, drawing international condemnation.
