— North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on the sidelines of events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, state media reported. The brief meeting followed Kim’s arrival by train and his attendance at a large military parade that drew about 26 foreign delegations.
Key Takeaways
- Kim Jong Un held talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing during the Sept. 3, 2025 World War II commemoration events.
- The North Korean leader arrived by train and joined a Chinese military parade attended by roughly 26 foreign leaders, including Vladimir Putin.
- This was Kim’s first visit to China in six years; state images showed he traveled with a young daughter.
- China’s foreign ministry described the meeting as an in-depth exchange on bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern.
- Analysts say Kim may be seeking to restore economic and political ties with China after leaning closer to Russia.
- The joint public appearance of Kim, Xi and Putin fueled speculation about a coordinated stance toward the U.S., but leaders downplayed that interpretation.
- China continues to press for steps toward denuclearization while offering economic and diplomatic incentives.
Verified Facts
State media reported that Kim Jong Un traveled to Beijing by train and participated in a military parade held to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The parade, held on Sept. 3, 2025, included delegations from about 26 countries and high-level foreign attendees.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the meeting would involve “in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern,” and characterized Kim’s presence and the talks as carrying “great significance.” The Chinese statement framed the encounter as part of normal diplomatic engagement during the commemorative events.
Images distributed by state outlets showed Kim arriving alongside other leaders. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the meeting directly; the photographic material was released by official agencies and bears source watermarks.
Observers note this was Kim’s first public visit to China in six years. North Korean state imagery also showed Kim accompanied by a young daughter; the presence of a family member has prompted discussion among analysts about succession messaging, though no official confirmation was provided.
Context & Impact
China is North Korea’s largest trading partner and main provider of humanitarian and economic assistance. Restoring warmer ties with Beijing would ease economic pressure on Pyongyang and expand diplomatic options for Kim if his outreach to Russia does not deliver sustained support.
In recent years North Korea has deepened ties with Russia. Intelligence and media reports have alleged transfers of arms and personnel in support of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine; such activity has concerned Beijing and other regional actors.
For Beijing, close coordination with Pyongyang carries reputational risk. Some Chinese scholars warn that overt alignment with North Korea could damage China’s international standing because of Pyongyang’s isolation and human rights record.
The public sighting of Kim, Xi and Russia’s Vladimir Putin together prompted speculation about a trilateral posture against U.S. pressure. Both Chinese and Russian officials took care to downplay the notion of a formal alliance at press appearances during the visit.
“The talks will carry great significance,”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun
Unconfirmed
- Reports that North Korea sent combat troops to fight in Ukraine — while widely reported by multiple outlets earlier — remain subject to varying levels of confirmation and are not independently verified in this report.
- Speculation that Kim’s young daughter is being formally groomed as a successor is unconfirmed; Pyongyang has not provided official details.
- Any formal three-way military or political alliance among China, North Korea and Russia has not been announced and should not be assumed from the leaders’ joint appearance alone.
Bottom Line
Kim’s visit to Beijing and his meeting with Xi underscore Pyongyang’s effort to manage relations with major neighbors as global tensions shift. For China, engagement with North Korea offers leverage on regional stability and denuclearization, but also carries diplomatic costs. Expect cautious, incremental diplomacy in the coming weeks as analysts assess whether this encounter yields concrete economic or security commitments.