North Korea visit highlights military ties, omits denuclearization

Despite pledges from both sides to strengthen strategic communications, denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula was not included in their statements on the meeting, a sharp contrast with Xi’s previous visit in 2019.

While a Chinese military delegation reportedly travelled to North Korea for the first time in six years in October last year, the level of the delegation was not revealed. The prominence given to military matters this week was an addition to the traditional priorities of economic and diplomatic affairs.

However, North Korea’s state media did not include Xi’s remarks on increasing military exchanges between the two countries, despite extensive coverage of the Chinese president’s visit.