State media from both countries highlighted the meeting between Xi and Kim as historic and a new chapter in the bilateral relationship
The meeting between the President of China (Communist Party of China) and the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, ended with the announcement of “important consensus” on relations between the 2 countries. The information was released by the main Chinese and North Korean state agencies.
KCNA, North Korea’s official agency, published this Wednesday (June 10, 2026) a message of thanks from Kim for Xi’s visit to Pyongyang. In the text, the North Korean leader states that the 2 had “an in-depth exchange of views on issues of mutual interest” and reached “important common understandings”. According to Kim, the visit demonstrated the importance Beijing attaches to bilateral relations and the countries’ commitment to strengthening their friendship. Here is it (PDF – 43 kB, in English).
The Chinese state agency Xinhua released a message with a similar tone. Without detailing the topics discussed, Xi declared that the relationship between the countries has been strengthened and that the leaders share positions on various issues linked to the stability of Asia and the international scenario.
“Mutual understanding between China and the DPRK [República Popular Democrática da Coreia] has become deeper and more comprehensive, and the direction of future development has become clearer and more defined.”said Xi. Here is it (PDF – 568 kB, in English).
The meeting was covered almost exclusively by the state press of both countries, and few details were released about the content of the conversations. There was no mention of the North Korean nuclear program.
BALANCE OF POWER IN ASIA
This was Xi’s first visit to North Korea since 2019. The Chinese president arrived in Pyongyang on Monday (June 8, 2026) and returned to Beijing on Tuesday (June 9, 2026). It was also his 1st international trip in 2026.
The visit took place amid rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific. Since October 2025, China and Japan have been involved in diplomatic disputes related to Japanese defense policy, driven by the prime minister (Liberal Democratic Party, right).
Until recently, frictions were focused on public statements and limited economic measures. Tensions rose after Japan and the Philippines announced talks to .
According to Beijing’s interpretation, part of the area under discussion involves regions claimed by Taiwan, a territory that China considers part of its country. Therefore, Chinese authorities assess that the negotiations could affect sovereignty claims defended by Beijing.
In a context of growing tension with Japan and the Philippines —both allies of the United States—, the rapprochement between China and North Korea gains strategic relevance for the balance of forces in the region.
