North Korea and China have taken a decisive step to reaffirm and deepen their decades-old alliance, as their top diplomats met in Beijing for high-stakes talks that could reshape the diplomatic landscape in East Asia. On Sunday, September 28, 2025, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi sat down for their first one-on-one meeting in China, marking a significant milestone in a relationship that has ebbed and flowed with the tides of global politics.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the two sides "exchanged views on international and regional issues in depth and reached complete consensus" during their discussions. While the official statements were light on specifics, the tone was unmistakably upbeat, signaling a renewed determination to stand together amid mounting international pressures.
This visit comes at a particularly charged moment. It is Choe’s second trip to China in less than a month, following her earlier journey with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to attend China’s high-profile military parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025. That parade, commemorating the end of World War II, was a spectacle of military might and political symbolism. For the first time in over six years, Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping held direct talks, joined by Russian President Vladimir Putin—a rare display of unity that did not go unnoticed in Washington and other world capitals.
During her meeting with Wang, Choe praised China’s "historic achievements, international status, and comprehensive national power," a reference to the impressive display at the parade. She reiterated Kim Jong-un’s pledge, made during the Beijing summit, that North Korea-China ties will "never waver regardless of changes in international situations." Choe emphasized North Korea’s intent to "proactively work toward the deepening and development" of their bilateral friendship, aligning closely with the spirit of the recent Kim-Xi summit.
Wang Yi, for his part, described the Kim-Xi summit as providing "direction and a blueprint for elevating bilateral ties to a higher level." He reaffirmed China’s "unwavering" stance to advance relations with Pyongyang, adding that both countries should strengthen "strategic communications, exchanges, and cooperation to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability." According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, Wang also stressed that China "opposes all forms of hegemonism" and is ready to "strengthen cooperation with North Korea in international and regional affairs."
Choe, echoing this sentiment, stated that North Korea "is willing to closely cooperate with China in multilateral affairs, jointly resist unilateralism and power politics, and promote a fairer and more just world order." These remarks, reported by both KCNA and Xinhua, are widely interpreted as a veiled pushback against the United States, which both Beijing and Pyongyang accuse of seeking to contain their influence in the region.
The timing of this diplomatic flurry is no accident. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is set to take place in South Korea from October 31 to November 1, 2025, and speculation is swirling about possible South Korea-China or U.S.-China summits on its sidelines. Meanwhile, North Korea is preparing to mark the 80th founding anniversary of its ruling Workers’ Party on October 10 with its own military parade—an event that could see the unveiling of new weapons targeting the U.S. and its allies. All eyes are on whether President Xi will reciprocate Kim’s visit by attending the North Korean festivities, a move that would send a powerful signal of solidarity.
The backdrop to these events is a shifting web of alliances and rivalries. In recent years, North Korea has leaned heavily on Russia, supplying combat troops and ammunition to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine, according to Associated Press. Yet, as the conflict drags on and the prospect of its end looms, experts say Kim Jong-un is eager to shore up ties with China, North Korea’s biggest trading partner and most reliable source of aid. For China, maintaining influence over Pyongyang is equally crucial, especially as bilateral ties reportedly cooled in the past few years.
"Further bolstering ties with China is North Korea’s unwavering position," Choe told Wang, citing Kim Jong-un’s words. She expressed her country’s determination to deepen and develop friendly ties in line with the spirit of the Kim-Xi summit. Wang responded in kind, highlighting the need to "boost strategic communications and exchanges" and solidify bilateral ties. The message from both capitals was clear: whatever differences may have emerged in recent years, the two neighbors are intent on presenting a united front.
The presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Beijing military parade alongside Kim and Xi added another layer of intrigue. While the joint appearance hinted at a potential three-way alignment against the United States, analysts remain cautious about reading too much into the optics. China has long been wary of being drawn too closely into North Korea’s confrontations with the West, especially over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program. Still, the symbolism of the moment was unmistakable—a reminder that old alliances can be revived when circumstances demand.
KCNA’s report that Choe and Wang "reached complete consensus" on regional and international affairs, though lacking in detail, suggests that both sides are keen to keep their cards close to the chest. The real substance of their agreement may only become apparent in the coming weeks, as the APEC summit approaches and North Korea prepares for its own show of strength.
Attention is now focused on the makeup of the Chinese delegation that will travel to Pyongyang for the Workers’ Party anniversary. Will Xi Jinping himself make the journey, or will Beijing send a lower-level envoy? Either way, the move will be closely watched for signs of just how far China is willing to go in backing its unpredictable neighbor.
For now, the message from Beijing and Pyongyang is one of unity and shared purpose. As Wang Yi put it, the Kim-Xi summit has provided "direction and a blueprint" for the future. Choe Son-hui, now firmly established as North Korea’s foreign minister since June 2022, has made her first independent visit to China in that role, underscoring the importance both sides attach to this relationship.
While the world waits to see how these diplomatic maneuvers play out, one thing is certain: the ties between North Korea and China, forged in the crucible of past conflicts and tested by recent strains, are once again front and center in the shifting dynamics of East Asia.