Public Displays of Solidarity

During his visit, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un visited the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, which honors Chinese soldiers who fought in the Korean War, the two leaders also planted a fir tree at Pyongyang’s top cadre school, symbolizing their ‘evergreen friendship,’ according to Xinhua. Xi was hosted at the Kumsusan State Guest House, a luxury residence reportedly built in 2019 to welcome his first visit to Pyongyang. The guest house has also hosted leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenko.

Strategic Concerns and Unspoken Tensions

Despite the public displays of unity, underlying tensions remain. China has long encouraged North Korea to adopt a model of Communist governance similar to its own—maintaining one-party rule while expanding markets, foreign investment, and international trade. Xi’s speech emphasized the need to ‘jointly open up a brighter future for the socialist cause of both countries,’ a phrase that highlights a point of contention. Sydney Seiler of the CSIS Korea Chair noted on X that ‘elements in the Chinese reports suggest that President Xi may be frustrated,’ adding that Kim has not outlined any process for development and ‘North Korea still refuses to learn from China’s developmental experience.’

Rebuilding Relations in a Shifting Regional Area

In recent years, ties between Beijing and Pyongyang have been strained, according to BBC analysis. The 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in October 2024 was barely marked, with muted public messaging and no senior-level exchanges throughout the year. This contrasted sharply with North Korea’s increasingly warm relationship with Moscow. North Korea’s growing partnership with Russia has raised concerns in Beijing, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A BBC investigation found that about 2,300 North Korean soldiers have died fighting for Russia against Ukraine. Western diplomatic sources told the BBC that China is increasingly worried about the deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. Following his meeting with Vladimir Putin last week, Xi may be seeking to ensure North Korea remains within Beijing’s sphere of influence as it expands its global presence.