Xi Jinping makes rare state visit to North Korea, pledges 'unwavering' support to Kim
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in North Korea for a two-day state visit (June 8–9), his first in seven years, at the invitation of Kim Jong-un, with reports describing a lavish welcome in Pyongyang. State media framed the trip around 65 years since the China–DPRK Friendship Treaty and emphasized restored air, rail and road links plus growing trade (reported at about $2.74 billion in 2025) and educational/cultural exchanges. Separately, China's foreign ministry pushed back sharply against an EU proposal to reduce corporate supply-chain dependence on China, calling 'diversification' disguised protectionism ahead of an EU leaders' summit where China is a major agenda item. China's embassy in Manila also issued a safety alert to Chinese nationals after a magnitude 7.8–7.9 earthquake struck waters off Mindanao, triggering tsunamis and casualties.
Why it matters
Xi's visit reaffirms the Beijing-Pyongyang axis at a moment when North Korea is fielding advanced warships and AI drones and deepening ties with Russia, signaling that China intends to remain the dominant patron of a more militarily capable DPRK amid intensifying US-China and regional rivalry. The simultaneous escalation in EU-China trade friction—over steel quotas, 'overcapacity' and supply-chain de-risking—shows Europe edging toward harder economic measures even as members like Germany and Spain resist a confrontational line, leaving Beijing maneuvering to keep the bloc divided.
🔎 Ground signal
State media coverage leans heavily on the warm 'traditional friendship' narrative while wire reports highlight North Korea's growing arsenal—a divergence worth noting. Domestically, the gaokao exam season dominates public attention, and China's AI race continues to draw notice with Moonshot AI reportedly eyeing a $30 billion valuation.