Xi Jinping tells Kim: China wants stronger military ties with North Korea, sending a warning to both Washington and Moscow
China’s President Xi Jinping has publicly called for closer military cooperation with North Korea, a rare and direct signal that Beijing is moving to tighten its grip on its unpredictable ally and counter growing Russian influence in Pyongyang.
During a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday, Xi said both sides should “enhance exchanges in diplomacy, law enforcement and military affairs,” according to China’s state news agency Xinhua [170476]. The statement marks an unusual public push for deeper defense ties between the two neighbors, which have long been allies but have rarely advertised military coordination.
Analysts say the move is aimed not only at the United States but also at Moscow, as China seeks to balance its relations with both global powers [170476]. The call for stronger military ties comes as Russia, isolated by Western sanctions over its war in Ukraine, has deepened its partnership with Pyongyang — supplying oil, food, and modern weapons technology worth billions of dollars [167791].
Xi’s recent outreach to Kim is part of a broader effort to reassert China’s traditional role as North Korea’s primary patron. Beijing is wary of being sidelined as Russia’s engagement with Pyongyang grows, including reported weapons shipments that threaten to shift the regional balance [168902]. For China, a stronger Russia-North Korea axis could complicate its own security interests and reduce its ability to moderate North Korea’s nuclear ambitions [168902].
The summit was Xi’s first trip to Pyongyang in seven years [168259]. Both leaders emphasized their “unbreakable friendship” during the talks, but analysts see the meeting as a strategic move by China to counterbalance North Korea’s growing tilt toward Moscow [169012]. No major agreements were announced [169012].
Despite the public warmth, the future of denuclearization talks remains uncertain [170476]. Neither Beijing nor Pyongyang mentioned nuclear weapons or denuclearization in their official statements on Xi’s visit, leading some observers to speculate that Beijing’s stance may be softening. However, experts argue the silence is tactical, not a sign of approval [170443].
Xi’s visit signals Beijing’s determination to stabilize ties with a neighbor that holds nuclear weapons and shares a long border with China [168879]. North Korea remains a key buffer state, but its erratic behavior threatens regional stability. By engaging directly, Beijing hopes to steer its ally toward predictability without losing its own strategic footing [168879].
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