Kim Jong Un arrives in China for first visit in a year
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in China for his first visit in over a year, meeting with senior Communist Party officials to discuss strengthening bilateral ties. The visit took place in the border city of Dandong amid rising tensions with South Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in China yesterday (Saturday) for his first visit in over a year, meeting with senior Communist Party officials. The unannounced visit took place in the border city of Dandong, which he reached after crossing the border between the two countries via a new bridge that opened this month after a 12-year delay. Kim met with Wang Huning, the fourth-ranking official in the Chinese Communist Party, who conveyed greetings from President Xi Jinping. The meeting, also attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, saw both sides call for expanding trade ties and strengthening strategic coordination. Wang Huning stated that relations have entered a "new historical era." Kim emphasized his desire to strengthen historical ties with Beijing. The visit occurred one day before the 76th anniversary of China's entry into the Korean War. Kim's appearance came days after rumors of his death, which were denied by South Korean intelligence and state media in Pyongyang. Meanwhile, tensions with South Korea continue to escalate, with Kim Yo Jong announcing preparations to resume propaganda broadcasts at the border.