Xi urges China and North Korea to deepen ties amid global instability

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged China and North Korea to strengthen cooperation and maintain "strategic resolve" amid what he described as growing global instability. He made the remarks during talks with North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song in Beijing on Friday.

Beijing and Pyongyang seek deeper cooperation

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song in Beijing on Friday, as the two countries marked the 65th anniversary of their friendship treaty.

According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Xi urged both sides to accelerate the implementation of agreements reached during his recent talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"At present, the international situation is intertwined with changes and turmoil. China and North Korea should maintain strategic resolve and enhance strategic confidence," Xi was quoted as saying.

He said the two countries should ensure their relationship "keeps pace with the time" and continue protecting their respective sovereignty, security and development interests.

Xi visited Pyongyang last month for his first trip to North Korea in seven years, where he and Kim agreed to expand cooperation in political, economic and cultural areas.

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Friendship treaty remains key foundation

The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between China and North Korea was signed on 11 July 1961 and remains Beijing's only active mutual defence pact.

Relations between the two countries have strengthened since late 2025, with diplomatic exchanges increasing and transport links resuming, including passenger train services and direct flights between their capitals.

Beijing has sought to rebuild closer ties with Pyongyang following a period of limited engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, while North Korea has expanded cooperation with Russia, including through military support linked to the war in Ukraine.

North Korea balances ties with China and Russia

Analysts say that while relations between Beijing and Pyongyang have improved, there are limits to how far North Korea is willing to move closer to China after deepening its partnership with Moscow.

North Korea has strengthened ties with Russia in recent years, reportedly providing military support in exchange for economic assistance and other forms of cooperation.

The shift has created a more complex diplomatic environment for China, which has traditionally been North Korea's most important economic partner.

Who is Pak Thae-song?

Pak Thae-song, 70, became North Korea's premier in December 2024 after a long career within the ruling Workers' Party.

He previously held positions related to propaganda, party discipline, industrial policy, science and education. A long-standing member of Kim Jong Un's inner circle, Pak has worked closely with the North Korean leader since the early years of Kim's rule.

Pak was briefly removed from public roles in the early 2020s during North Korea's strict COVID-19 measures, although officials did not provide an explanation.

His overseas visits have been limited, mainly involving trips to China and Russia in 2018 and 2019. In October 2019, he visited Moscow as head of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly.

China and North Korea mark 65 years of partnership

Pak's visit to Beijing comes as China and North Korea commemorate more than six decades of their alliance.

With growing geopolitical competition and shifting partnerships across Asia, Xi's call for stronger coordination highlights Beijing's efforts to preserve its influence over its long-standing neighbour while navigating North Korea's expanding ties with Russia.

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