Xi makes first North Korea visit in seven years as Beijing seeks to counter Russian influence over Pyongyang

Summary

Chinese President Xi Jinping is making his first visit to North Korea in seven years, a two-day trip to Pyongyang starting Monday. The visit comes as Beijing seeks to test its influence over North Korea, which has been increasingly drawn into Russia's orbit. Xi pledged "unwavering" friendship in a commentary published in North Korea's state newspaper, vowing to deepen bilateral cooperation including military ties. Analysts suggest North Korea may use the summit to press for economic concessions or tacit recognition of its nuclear status, indicating Pyongyang has more leverage than during Xi's last visit in June 2019.