Kim Jong Un recently sent a message of deep appreciation to Chinese President Xi Jinping, thanking him for China’s “invariable support and special friendly feelings” during his visit to Beijing. He emphasized that China has consistently stood by North Korea, especially during international turbulence. The expression of gratitude came after Xi sent congratulations to North Korea on its 77th founding anniversary.
First Meeting with Xi in Six Years
Kim Jong Un’s recent trip to Beijing marked his first official visit to China in six years. He attended a large military parade commemorating the end of World War II, where he participated alongside Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. During that visit and the associated bilateral meetings, both leaders reaffirmed their intention to deepen cooperation.
In his response to Xi’s congratulatory message, Kim pledged that the DPRK would “more vigorously promote” friendly ties with China. He spoke of the long history and shared socialist values between the two states, and said that their cooperation must adapt to changing global dynamics.
Motives Behind Strengthened Relations Economic Lifeline and Strategic Positioning
China remains North Korea’s most important partner in several respects. It is its biggest trading partner, supplies essential energy and food goods, and offers a political buffer against external pressures. Given international sanctions and North Korea’s relative isolation, strong ties with China provide both legitimacy and survival.
Analysts suggest that Kim’s public gratitude and pledge serve multiple purposes: reinforcing domestic legitimacy by showing strong foreign support, sending a strategic signal to the U.S. and other countries that DPRK has powerful allies, and ensuring stability in its supply lines.
What Vigorous Promotion Might Look Like in Practice
Kim’s commitment to promoting bilateral ties more vigorously could translate into several concrete actions. We can expect increased high-level exchanges more visits by senior officials both ways. There may also be greater cooperation in governance, with China sharing expertise in administrative, technical, or party governance matters.
China has publicly urged restraint but has not pushed Pyongyang toward significant denuclearization. Third, domestic pressures in both countries economic decay in the DPRK, cost of supporting neighbors for China, and international diplomatic fallout create constraints. Thus, while more cooperation seems likely, both sides will balance ambition with caution.
On the economic front, trade deals, cross-border infrastructure projects, energy supply deals, and perhaps joint ventures could expand. Moreover, North Korea might rely more heavily on Chinese financial or material assistance, especially considering its development goals and hardships from sanctions.
Challenges and Limits Diplomacy, Sanctions, and Global Watchers
Despite warm rhetoric, several obstacles could limit how deep the closer ties go. First, sanctions on North Korea restrict how free China can interact, especially in financial sectors and dual-use goods. International watchdogs remain vigilant. Second, North Korea’s insistence on preserving its nuclear arsenal complicates diplomatic relations, even with friendly states.
Kim’s gestures toward China carry regional implications. For South Korea, Japan, the U.S., and other regional players, renewed closeness between China and the DPRK concerns stability. It suggests that North Korea isn’t drifting further from Beijing, but rather reaffirming its alignment there. It also potentially shifts diplomatic leverage:
Kim Jong-un Hypersonic Missiles Threats Toward South Korea 
Huawei and DeepSeek Assists China Break Reliance on U.S. Chips 
Kim Yong Min Labels Hearing Criticism Leisurely 
Dennis Rodman’s 2013 Visit to North Korea 
Kim Jong-un Open to Trump Meeting Without Denuclearization 
Kim Jong-un oversees test of U.S. global hawk-like drone