01:07

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un hosts Chinese president Xi Jinping at state banquet

North Korean state media quoted Kim as saying strengthening ties with China was the country’s “most important strategic mission”.

Published: 6:57pm, 9 Jun 2026

China and North Korea have pledged to strengthen strategic cooperation and defend each other’s sovereignty, according to a North Korean state media report about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two-day visit to Pyongyang. Kim hosted Xi at a state banquet and gala performance on Monday evening.

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un hosts Chinese president Xi Jinping at state banquet

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}North Korean state media quoted Kim as saying strengthening ties with China was the country’s “most important strategic mission”.

North Korean state media quoted Kim as saying strengthening ties with China was the country’s “most important strategic mission”.