Xi ends 2-day Pyongyang visit as China, North Korea tighten ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping ended a two-day state visit to Pyongyang, his first official trip to North Korea since 2019, with a pledge to strengthen bilateral ties. Kim Jong Un said Xi's choice of Pyongyang for his first overseas visit this year showed the weight of the two countries' relationship. According to KCNA and Xinhua, the two agreed to deepen high-level exchanges and cooperation in politics, economics and culture. The visit came as Beijing sought to reaffirm its position as North Korea's main partner, amid Pyongyang's growing closeness with Russia. State media reports also marked the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea defense pact, but made no mention of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.