BEIJING — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of Beijing events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, state media reported Thursday.
Kim, who arrived in Beijing by train on Tuesday, attended a Chinese military parade the following day alongside about two dozen other foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the leaders would "conduct in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern" and that Kim’s attendance and the talks "carry great significance."
State media coverage and official statements did not provide detailed accounts of the discussions. Kim’s visit is his first to China in six years and is considered a rare trip outside North Korea since he took power in late 2011. He was among 26 foreign leaders who observed the parade, the first time the North Korean leader has joined a large group of international counterparts at a public event since assuming leadership.
Kim arrived with his young daughter, a detail that analysts noted heightened speculation about succession planning inside North Korea. Experts quoted by regional analysts say the trip likely reflects Pyongyang’s desire to restore closer ties with China, its largest trading partner and primary provider of economic aid, after years of strained relations and the impact of international sanctions.
China and North Korea have maintained a historically complex relationship, with Beijing often balancing strategic and economic interests in managing ties with its neighbor. The two governments have exchanged occasional high-level visits in recent years, but the public nature of Kim’s appearance among a broad group of world leaders and the subsequent bilateral meeting with Xi signal a notable diplomatic rapprochement.
The Beijing events, which included the large military parade marking the World War II anniversary, brought together leaders from multiple countries and served as a high-profile diplomatic venue. State media emphasized the symbolic importance of the exchanges; Beijing framed Kim’s participation and the meeting with Xi as steps toward strengthening bilateral cooperation.
No immediate announcements followed the Kim-Xi meeting. Analysts say further details are likely to emerge through official channels in the coming days as both capitals assess the outcome and consider follow-up engagements.