Xi Jinping will make a state visit to North Korea on June 8 and 9, at the invitation of Kim Jong Un. This is the first visit of the Chinese leader to the country since 2019.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit North Korea on June 8 and 9, marking his first trip to this allied country since 2019, according to an announcement made by the Chinese press. The visit is made at the invitation of Kim Jong Un and underscores the close relations between the two countries. Beijing plays an essential role as diplomatic and political support for North Korea, which faces severe international sanctions and is one of the most isolated nations in the world. China accounted for 20% of Pyongyang's foreign trade last year, being its main trading partner. Visits by Chinese leaders to North Korea are rare, the last being Xi Jinping's in 2019, and Kim Jong Un visited Beijing in September, participating in a military parade. The North Korean state agency KCNA confirmed the visit but did not provide further details.