China’s President Xi Jinping set for first North Korea visit since 2019
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to make a state visit to North Korea next week, marking his first trip to the country since 2019. According to North Korea’s state media, the visit is expected to take place on Monday and Tuesday at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the development without providing further details, describing it as a rare and significant diplomatic engagement. Chinese official media also confirmed the visit, stating that the International Department of the Communist Party’s Central Committee acknowledged the upcoming trip. This will be the first visit by the Chinese president to North Korea in nearly seven years. Xi Jinping last visited Pyongyang on June 20–21, 2019. The visit is being viewed as an important step that could further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.