Kim Jong Un Takes the Stage: A New Chapter in Relations between China and North Korea | Hungarian Institute of International Affairs

Kim Jong Un took part in Beijing’s Victory Day celebrations as a guest of honor and held bilateral talks with Xi Jinping. Taken together, these moves point to a new stage in China–North Korea relations. Although Beijing has done much in recent decades to keep the North Korean economy alive, it has also supported UN sanctions, leading to a relationship marked by contradictions. Now, however, China has clearly decided to deepen ties, accepting the risks that come with it. Xi’s goal is to restore C