Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un [Xinhua/Yonhap News Agency Archive Photo]

Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a state visit to North Korea on June 8-9.

This marks his first visit in seven years since 2019 and the second since Kim Jong Un took power.

A spokesperson for the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China announced on the morning of June 5 that President Xi will visit North Korea as a state guest at the invitation of Chairman Kim Jong Un.

North Korea's Korean Central News Agency also reported on the same day, stating, "At the invitation of Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Comrade Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, will pay a state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on June 8-9."

Previously, President Xi visited North Korea in June 2019, his first visit since Kim Jong Un assumed leadership, where they held a summit and showcased the friendly relations between China and North Korea.

President Xi had also visited North Korea in 2008, but at that time, he was serving as the Vice President of the country.

This upcoming meeting between the leaders of China and North Korea will be approximately nine months after their encounter at the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the Korean War celebrations held in Beijing last September.

This visit is expected to serve as a platform to reaffirm the traditional friendship between China and North Korea, while also showcasing China's diplomatic influence amidst deepening Russia-North Korea ties, strategic competition between the US and China, and evolving dynamics on the Korean Peninsula.

The visit is also significant as this year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance between North Korea and China.

Given that North Korea and China have historically emphasized anniversaries of the treaty, which is highly valued by socialist countries, this visit is seen as having symbolic significance in reaffirming their traditional friendly relations and alliance consciousness.

Notably, this visit marks President Xi's first overseas trip since attending the APEC summit in Seoul last year.

The fact that North Korea has been chosen as the destination for President Xi's first overseas visit this year is interpreted as a sign that this visit holds significant strategic importance for China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un [Xinhua/Yonhap News Agency Archive Photo]

The visit also draws attention as it occurs shortly after summit meetings between the leaders of China and the US, and China and Russia.

China has recently held summit meetings with the US and Russia, discussing key international issues including the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

While the US released a briefing document stating that both countries reaffirmed their common goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the China-Russia summit did not mention denuclearization and instead emphasized opposition to sanctions against North Korea.

Consequently, there is speculation that President Xi and Chairman Kim may share recent international developments and discussions among major powers regarding the Korean Peninsula, and coordinate their future responses.

Earlier, on June 4, North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported on Chairman Kim's inspection of a new nuclear material production facility the previous day and a significant consultative meeting related to strengthening nuclear capabilities.

This is interpreted as an intention to refuse any demands for denuclearization, even from President Xi during his visit, and to solidify North Korea's status as a nuclear-armed state.

There are also projections that this could serve as an opportunity to reshape the Northeast Asian order, with an intensified strategic cooperation framework among China, North Korea, and Russia within the international order led by the US.

Some also suggest that China may take on a mediating role to facilitate the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue.

However, many analyses suggest that it remains uncertain whether this will lead to tangible results, given North Korea's continued passive stance towards dialogue with the US.

The visit is also significant in that it occurs amidst deepening ties between North Korea and Russia.

While North Korea has significantly expanded military and security cooperation with Russia, China also maintains its influence as North Korea's largest trading partner and benefactor.

Experts assess that President Xi's visit aims to reaffirm the friendly relations between China and North Korea, while also asserting China's position as a key stakeholder in Korean Peninsula issues, even amid closer ties between North Korea and Russia.

Expanding economic cooperation is also considered a major agenda item.

As North Korea-China trade shows signs of recovery following COVID-19, the leaders of both countries are expected to discuss measures to expand economic cooperation.

There are also projections that discussions may cover China's long-standing interest in utilizing the waterway in the lower reaches of the Tumen River and gaining access to the East Sea, as well as cooperation in developing areas along the China-North Korea border and utilizing the Rason Special Economic Zone.

Interest is also focused on the format of the visit.

It is anticipated that President Xi will travel to Pyongyang by special plane, similar to his visit in 2019.

A large-scale welcoming ceremony is expected at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, and there is a possibility that Chairman Kim Jong Un may personally go to the airport to greet President Xi, as he did seven years ago.