Xi Jinping to Visit North Korea, Analysts Say to Show Influence on Korean Peninsula Issues

TAIPEI (CNA) — Chinese Communist Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea from June 8 to 9, marking his first state visit to the country in seven years. Analysts say Xi will use the visit to reaffirm friendly bilateral relations and showcase Beijing's influence in resolving issues on the Korean Peninsula.

Chinese state media Xinhua reported on the morning of June 5 that Xi accepted an invitation from North Korean Workers' Party General Secretary and State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un for a state visit on June 8-9.

According to The Paper, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a regular press conference on the afternoon of June 5 that this visit is Xi's first state visit to North Korea in seven years. During the visit, the top leaders of the two parties and countries will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

Mao further stated that under the strategic guidance of Xi and Kim in recent years, the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have continued to develop healthily and steadily. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the "China-North Korea Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance." The visit will serve as an opportunity to promote China-North Korea relations to keep pace with the times and achieve greater development.

According to Yonhap News Agency's Chinese service, this visit is not only Xi's first to North Korea in about seven years but also the first meeting between the two leaders in about nine months. Kim Jong Un visited China last September to attend China's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, where he held talks with Xi.

Yonhap noted that Xi's visit is drawing significant attention amid the strengthening military and security cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Analysts believe Xi will use the visit to reaffirm China-North Korea friendly relations and demonstrate China's influence in resolving Korean Peninsula issues.

Some experts pointed out that Xi's visit aims to strengthen China-North Korea strategic cooperation and further consolidate bilateral ties.

Additionally, some observers suggest that given Xi's recent meetings with the leaders of the US and Russia, he may brief Kim on the main content of those summits and exchange views on future response strategies.