In a powerful public display of diplomatic alignment, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a bilateral summit on Thursday, following a landmark trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meetings in Beijing solidify a deepening strategic partnership and send a clear message of shared interests and mutual support between the three nations.
The summit between President Xi and Chairman Kim followed Wednesday’s massive military parade in China, where the three leaders were seen together in an unprecedented show of unity. This high-level engagement underscores a commitment to fortifying their alliance in a changing international landscape.
Strengthening the China-DPRK Alliance
During their meeting, Chairman Kim affirmed North Korea’s unwavering support for China, stating, “No matter how the international situation changes, the feeling of friendship cannot change.” He was quoted by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as pledging that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) would “invariably support and encourage the stand and efforts of the Communist Party of China… to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests of the state.”
In a reciprocal gesture, President Xi reportedly referred to China and North Korea as “good neighbours, good friends and good comrades” who share “one destiny.” He expressed his commitment to defending and developing the countries’ relations, further cementing their long-standing ties. The bilateral meeting concluded Chairman Kim’s first trip outside of North Korea since his 2023 meeting with President Putin.
Trilateral Cooperation with Russia and International Implications
The bilateral meeting was a continuation of Wednesday’s trilateral talks with President Putin, held on the sidelines of a military parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The three leaders discussed “long-term” cooperation plans, signaling a united front on a range of security and geopolitical issues.
The diplomatic unity follows a series of military cooperation developments between Pyongyang and Moscow. President Putin sent a congratulatory message to Chairman Kim, in which he praised North Korea’s role in the conflict in Ukraine, hailing the “heroic involvement” of North Korean combat forces in the “liberating of the Kursk territories.” North Korea has reportedly provided thousands of soldiers, as well as artillery ammunition and missiles, to support Russia’s military campaign.
The public display of unity and military cooperation has drawn reactions from other global powers. Former U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media, accusing the three leaders of “conspir[ing] against The United States of America.” However, a Kremlin aide dismissed the comments, stating that such thoughts were not on anyone’s mind.
The summit concludes a significant week of diplomatic activity that has solidified the comprehensive strategic partnership between China, North Korea, and Russia, setting the stage for future collaboration on a global scale.
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