Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday for a rare state visit, his first to North Korea in seven years. The summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un aims to reassert China's influence over its neighbor in exchange for economic and political support.
The trip follows Xi's recent summits with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Analysts expect Xi to offer Kim economic aid packages, including rice, fertilizers, and resumed Chinese tourism, while avoiding the topic of denuclearization.
China has long been North Korea's primary economic and diplomatic supporter, though recent ties have frayed as Pyongyang prioritized cooperation with Moscow. Experts warn restoring China's exclusive influence would give Xi leverage with Trump, who seeks renewed diplomacy with Kim.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Sino-North Korean mutual defense treaty. Meanwhile, Kim continues to expand his nuclear arsenal, recently unveiling a new plant for nuclear ingredients and vowing to accelerate nuclear naval capabilities.