← Back to feed

Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un approve 'comprehensive plan' for bilateral ties during North Korea visit

2 sources · 10 Jun 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press

Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un approved a 'comprehensive plan' to strengthen bilateral relations during a two-day visit to Pyongyang that ended Tuesday (9). The visit marked Xi's first official trip to North Korea since 2019, occurring weeks after the Chinese leader met with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Press quotes (1)
Oglobo

"Líderes norte-coreanos e chineses aprovaram um "plano abrangente" para as relações bilaterais durante a visita de Xi Jinping a Pyongyang"

During a banquet Monday (8), Xi stated that China and North Korea are 'linked by mountains and rivers and share a common destiny,' according to China's state news agency Xinhua. Kim responded by saying North Korea would continue treating friendship with China as its top priority and reaffirmed support for the 'One China' principle. Both leaders highlighted that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the defense pact between the countries — China's only such treaty.

Press quotes (1)
Folha de S.Paulo

"Xi elogiou as relações entre os dois países e afirmou que China e Coreia do Norte estão "ligadas por montanhas e rios e compartilham um destino comum"

Discussions about North Korea's denuclearization were notably absent from official accounts of the talks, though this did not surprise analysts. In recent years, China has significantly reduced its public calls for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Xi was accompanied by key government officials including Defense Minister Dong Jun and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Press quotes (1)
Folha de S.Paulo

"As discussões sobre a desnuclearização da Coreia do Norte ficaram notavelmente ausentes dos relatos divulgados pela imprensa estatal sobre as conversas"

The visit included symbolic events such as planting a pine tree at Pyongyang's main Communist Party leadership school and visiting the Tower of Friendship, a monument honoring Chinese soldiers killed in the Korean War. After the trip, Xi sent a thank-you letter to Kim highlighting that they had 'a profound exchange of views on issues of mutual interest and reached a series of important common agreements,' according to North Korea's KCNA news agency.

Press quotes (1)
Oglobo

"Xi enviou uma carta de agradecimento a Kim, em que destacou que os dois tiveram "uma troca profunda de opiniões sobre temas de interesse mútuo e chegaram a uma série de acordos comuns importantes"

1. What we know (2)

The visit lasted two days and was Xi's first to North Korea since 2019

2 sources Oglobo Folha de S.Paulo

The leaders visited the Tower of Friendship and planted a commemorative tree

2 sources Oglobo Folha de S.Paulo
2. Where coverage thins out (3)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (3)

Xi stayed at the Kumsusan State Guest House, built in 2019

Reported by: Folha de S.Paulo
Did not cover: Oglobo

The visit occurred after Xi received world leaders including US and Russian presidents

Reported by: Oglobo
Did not cover: Folha de S.Paulo

Xi may be frustrated with North Korea's refusal to follow the Chinese development model

Reported by: Folha de S.Paulo
Did not cover: Oglobo
3. What we don't know yet (4)
  • What are the specific details of the 'comprehensive plan' approved by the leaders?

    Why it's still unknown: Neither Chinese nor North Korean state media disclosed the specific content of the mentioned agreements

    Did not cover: Oglobo Folha de S.Paulo
  • Why has China reduced its public calls for denuclearization in recent years?

    Why it's still unknown: Sources mention China's shift in stance but don't explain the reasons behind this diplomatic strategy

    Did not cover: Oglobo
  • What was the reaction from the United States and other countries to the declarations about 'common destiny' between China and North Korea?

    Why it's still unknown: No consulted source included international reactions to the visit or the leaders' statements

    Did not cover: Oglobo Folha de S.Paulo
  • How did North Korea's recent rapprochement with Russia influence bilateral discussions with China?

    Why it's still unknown: Folha mentions China trying to reaffirm influence over a partner that has approached Russia, but doesn't detail how this affected the talks

    Did not cover: Oglobo

All sources

2