Xi’s trip to North Korea is about countering Russia’s influence

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Chinese leader Xi Jinping has begun a two-day visit to Pyongyang by calling for more “strategic coordination and cooperation” with North Korea. It is his first trip to the country since 2019. A top priority for Xi is countering Russia’s growing influence, two years after Pyongyang and Moscow signed a mutual defence pact. Under the deal, Kim Jong Un sent soldiers to Ukraine and sold Russia ammunition worth billions of dollars. He also received access to cheap oil, shipments of food and access to Russian military technology. The result has been an unlikely economic boom, which bolsters Kim’s position in negotiations with Xi. He is seeking greater acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear programme. China has traditionally refused to endorse Pyongyang’s nuclear status over fears it could compel other Pacific nations to acquire the weapons.