Kim Jong Un Meets with Xi jinping During WWII Commemoration in beijing
BEIJING – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting on the sidelines of events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, according to reports from North Korean and Chinese state media on Thursday.
Kim Jong Un attended a Chinese military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, joining other international leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin. This trip marks a rare instance of Kim traveling outside of North Korea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the two leaders engaged in “in-depth exchanges of views” regarding bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest,characterizing the meeting and Kim’s attendance at the parade as “carrying great significance.”
This visit represents Kim’s first trip to China in six years. He was accompanied by his young daughter, fueling speculation about her potential role as a future leader.
Experts suggest Kim’s visit aims to strengthen ties with China, North Korea’s primary trading partner and source of aid, particularly as questions have arisen regarding the state of the bilateral relationship.In recent years, North Korea has focused heavily on its relationship with Russia, providing combat troops and ammunition in support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in exchange for economic and military assistance. Putin publicly praised North Korean soldiers’ bravery during a meeting with Kim in Beijing following the parade.
Analysts believe Kim is also preparing for a potential shift in the Russia-Ukraine dynamic. some observers also suggest the trip could be a strategic move to gain leverage in potential future negotiations with the United States, where former President Donald Trump has previously expressed interest in resuming diplomacy with North Korea.
China, as North Korea’s largest trading partner and aid provider, desires North Korea’s return to negotiations and abandonment of its nuclear weapons program. Beijing has expressed some concern over North Korea’s growing ties with Russia, traditionally its moast important ally.
The simultaneous presence of Kim, Xi, and putin at the parade has prompted speculation about a coordinated effort to counter U.S. influence. Trump responded to this with a social media post, accusing the three leaders of conspiring against the United States. Putin dismissed these claims during a press conference in Beijing, stating no negative comments about the Trump administration were made during his trip.
While China, North Korea, and Russia are each engaged in separate disputes with the U.S., a formal alliance has not yet materialized. Zhu Feng, dean of Nanjing University’s School of International Relations, cautioned that aligning too closely with North Korea could harm China’s international image due to North Korea’s highly authoritarian nature, and cautioned against overinterpreting the strengthening of relations between the three countries.
(Source: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP/KCNA via KNS)
