Xi warns against militarisation before Kim meeting

 Xi Jinping warned against militarisation and authoritarianism as he landed in North Korea on Monday for his first visit to the country in nearly seven years.

In a scene reminiscent of Donald Trump’s welcome to Beijing last month, the Chinese president was greeted by crowds of cheering children waving flags and balloons, a 21-gun salute and a military marching band.

Mr Xi, who is joined by his wife, Peng Liyuan, Wang Yi, his foreign minister, and Cai Qi, his de facto chief of staff, was welcomed by Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s leader, at the start of the two-day visit.

The delegation was greeted by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, at the airport in Pyongyang along with banners that read “Eternal Friendship between North Korea and China” and “Long Live the Unbreakable Friendship and Unity between North Korea and China”, according to Chinese state media.

Mr Xi told Kim during talks on Monday that he was willing to work together to bring their countries’ relations to “new heights”, the state news agency Xinhua reported.

The Chinese premier told his North Korean counterpart: “I am deeply pleased and also feel a special sense of closeness.”

He added: “No matter how the international situation changes... the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK will not change.”

Before the trip, the Chinese leader published an article in one of North Korea’s state newspapers emphasising that ties between China and North Korea were at a “new historical starting point” and issuing a subtle – though direct – warning.

“We must oppose hegemony, authoritarianism and all attempts and conspiracies to revive militarism that endanger regional security and stability,” Mr Xi wrote.

It is unclear who this message was intended for, but there are few countries in the world that are as intent on boosting their military power as North Korea, or where authoritarianism is more apparent.

Kim, who rules his country with an iron fist, has repeatedly emphasised the need to strengthen its defence capabilities, from expanding his regime’s nuclear arsenal to making “full preparations for war” by building an “invincible” military.

The week before the Chinese leader arrived in Pyongyang, North Korean state media announced several new military advancements, including a new nuclear enrichment facility and plans to build a 10,000-ton destroyer – the first of its kind in North Korea.

Many of these developments have been aided by Russia, one of North Korea’s closest partners.

While China and North Korea have a defence treaty – the only one China has with another country – Pyongyang has been expanding its defence cooperation with Moscow.

North Korea sent tens of thousands of soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, along with ammunition and weapons, and in return, Moscow has helped bolster Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile technology.

Many experts have said that a likely factor in Mr Xi travelling to North Korea is to offset the regime’s growing ties with Russia.

Mr Xi met Vladimir Putin in late May in Beijing where the two men touted the strong ties between their countries and their close personal friendship. He now seems to be looking to do the same with Kim.

In the signed article in North Korean state media, Mr Xi also said that “maintaining, consolidating and developing China-DPRK relations has always been an unwavering policy” of the Chinese government, using the official acronym for North Korea.

He also wrote: “China stands ready to work with the DPRK to steer bilateral relations from a strategic perspective, keep China-DPRK relations abreast of the times, and achieve greater development of the relationship.”

The last time Mr Xi and Kim met was at China’s mass military parade in Beijing in September, where Putin was also present.

China is North Korea’s most important trading partner and has functioned as a lifeline for the regime as it faces international sanctions.

For China, the relationship is also an important one, as evidenced by Mr Xi’s decision to visit the country – his first international trip of the year.

While Mr Xi has been meeting a different world leader every week, he typically plays host in China.

“A Chinese leader doesn’t just visit North Korea because a visit is due. Xi’s trip will have real implications for China-DPRK relations,” Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, told the Associated Press.