Xi Jinping on North Korea

Xi Jinping views North Korea primarily through the lens of Chinese strategic interests, which center on maintaining regional stability and preventing a collapse on its border. His core position has historically been defined by the strategic goal of “no war, no instability, and no nuclear weapons,” with stability being the overriding priority. This stance has led to complex diplomatic engagement, sometimes involving strong enforcement of UN sanctions during nuclear escalations, but often reverting to deeper economic and political ties when dialogue with the U.S. stalls. The relationship is fundamentally one of asymmetrical dependency, with Pyongyang reliant on Beijing for economic life support while China values the DPRK as a buffer against the U.S.-aligned Korean Peninsula.

The nature of the relationship has evolved under his leadership, particularly in response to North Korea’s aggressive nuclear and missile testing. Early in his tenure, Xi Jinping displayed clear displeasure, tacitly rebuking the leadership after defiant missile tests and notably downplaying the presence of North Korea's representative at a major 2015 parade while cultivating ties with South Korea. However, subsequent diplomatic overtures from Pyongyang, including Kim Jong Un's visits starting in 2018, brought a rapid rapprochement, culminating in Xi Jinping’s first state visit to Pyongyang in June 2019. This suggests a pragmatic shift: when direct engagement with the U.S. weakens, China moves to secure its immediate interests by shoring up the alliance.