WASHINGTON (June 9, 2026) – For the first time in seven years, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited North Korea for a high-level summit with leader Kim Jong Un. Xi and Kim agreed to expand their partnership in areas such as trade, technology, construction and agriculture. According to Kim, this starts a new era of friendship between the two countries. This year marks 65 years since China and North Korea signed a mutual defense treaty.
Xi mentioned that both nations should reopen flights and train services as a chance to expand people-to-people exchanges.
For analysis on these developments, please consider Robert (Bob) Sutter , professor of practice of international affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs. Sutter is an expert on U.S.-China relations, China’s rise-domestic and international implications, Chinese foreign relations, Contemporary U.S. policy toward Asia and the Pacific, and political, security and economic development in Asia and the Pacific.
To schedule an interview, please contact Nadia Payne at nadia [dot] payne
gwu [dot] edu (nadia[dot]payne[at]gwu[dot]edu) or GW media at gwmediagwu [dot] edu (gwmedia[at]gwu[dot]edu).
-GW-