"Meeting of Minds" North Korea-China: Intensifying Strategic Cooperation Amidst Shifting Dynamics? Xi Jinping's Upcoming Moves Eyed

Indications of 'Close Coordination' on International and Regional Issues... North Korean Media Omits "Opposition to Hegemonism" Mention

Interest Piqued by Potential Visit to Pyongyang by Xi Jinping Before Attending APEC in Gyeongju Next Month

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui Meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing (Pyongyang KCNA/Yonhap News) North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on September 28, according to Pyongyang's KCNA on September 29. 2025.9.29

[For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] nkphoto@yna.co.kr

Following the North Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting, spurred by North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui's visit to China, attention is focusing on whether the two countries will embark on full-scale strategic cooperation on Korean Peninsula and regional issues, building on their confirmed commitment to enhance communication and develop bilateral relations.

According to Pyongyang's KCNA on the 29th, the meeting between Foreign Minister Choe and Wang Yi, who also serves as Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, held yesterday resulted in "in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues and complete agreement of opinions."

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced yesterday that Minister Wang expressed his willingness to "strengthen coordination and synchronization (配合) with [North] Korea on international and regional affairs."

While specific agenda items were not disclosed, this is interpreted as a signal that the two nations will move forward in closer coordination on key regional and international affairs, leaving past estrangement behind.

It is presumed that discussions on North Korea's policy towards the United States, the possibility of North Korea-US dialogue, and regional security issues took place, although these were not publicly revealed.

Similar to the North Korea-China summit earlier this month, the issue of denuclearization, a sensitive topic for North Korea, was omitted from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Wang "highly appreciates [North] Korea's support for China's core interests and major concerns," seemingly referring to North Korea's support on issues such as Taiwan.

Professor Im Eul-chul of the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University commented, "This was a meeting that showed the possibility of more active and concrete cooperation than in the past," adding, "North Korea, having achieved its goal of nuclear development, will likely adopt a strategy of strategically aligning with China to secure benefits."

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui Meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing (Pyongyang KCNA/Yonhap News) North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on September 28, according to Pyongyang's KCNA on September 29. 2025.9.29

[For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] nkphoto@yna.co.kr

However, a divergence in temperature between the two countries was also detected in their statements.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Wang stated, "We oppose hegemony in all its forms," a remark virtually aimed at the United States, and Foreign Minister Choe responded by saying she would "thwart unilateralism and power politics." However, this particular statement was omitted from North Korean media reports.

Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, analyzed, "While the relationship with China is important for North Korea, they also need to keep the possibility of dialogue or contact with the United States open going forward," adding, "This shows North Korea's cautious approach to remarks made by China targeting the US."

Amidst the intertwining of North Korea-China relations restoration and the potential for renewed North Korea-US dialogue, the shifting dynamics on the Korean Peninsula are expected to make Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming itinerary a key variable.

The biggest point of interest is whether he will visit North Korea before attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju late next month.

President Xi's attendance at APEC is confirmed, and a separate bilateral meeting with President Lee Jae-myung is also being coordinated. This would mark the first visit by a Chinese head of state to South Korea in 11 years and is seen as an opportunity for China to re-engage more actively in Korean Peninsula affairs.

In this context, if President Xi attends the grand military parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea on the 10th of next month, it would signify a visit to North Korea prior to South Korea.

This would inevitably be interpreted as a sign that China's weight in Korean Peninsula issues is leaning towards North Korea.

Xi Jinping Delivers Speech at China's Victory Day Parade (Pyongyang KCNA/Yonhap News) North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un attended China's 80th anniversary Victory Day events in Beijing on September 3, according to Pyongyang's KCNA on September 4. Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen delivering a speech at the military parade. 2025.9.4

[For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] nkphoto@yna.co.kr

However, some analyses suggest that a visit by President Xi to North Korea might be premature, as complete trust between North Korea and China has not yet been fully restored.

Shin Bong-seop, a visiting professor at Kwangwoon University and former Consul General of China in Shenyang, stated, "The results of the North Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting alone reveal differences in their stances," adding, "A visit by Xi Jinping timed with the North Korean Workers' Party founding day parade would essentially be a card that is difficult to use easily."

Attention is also on whether Foreign Minister Choe, who is scheduled to stay in China until the 30th, will pay a courtesy call on President Xi.

While it is rare for President Xi to receive foreign ministers visiting China, there have been precedents. In 2018, he met with then-North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho during his visit to China. Yonhap News