North Korea nuclear stance and China ties
2026-06-07 → 2026-06-09
North Korea reaffirmed its nuclear-weapons status as irreversible ahead of a landmark Xi Jinping visit, signaling deepening Pyongyang-Beijing ties amid broader regional cooperation.
Timeline
- 2026-06-09China
China reaffirms commitment to strengthen North Korea relations
Chinese state media highlighted Xi Jinping's written commitment to bolster China-North Korea relations and multi-domain cooperation. Beijing also announced a 2026 defense budget increase to 1.94 trillion yuan and issued safety reminders to citizens in Iran and the Philippines.
- 2026-06-07North Korea
Kim Yo Jong rules out denuclearization as Xi prepares first North Korea visit since 2019
Kim Yo Jong declared via KCNA that North Korea's nuclear status is an 'irreversible reality' and 'absolutely not negotiable,' just days before Xi Jinping's announced June 8-9 state visit to Pyongyang, his first since 2019.