What's happened
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un traveled to Beijing to attend a military parade with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders reaffirmed their alliance, with Kim visiting for the first time outside North Korea since 2019. The trip signals a show of unity against Western influence and highlights deepening ties among the three nations.
What's behind the headline?
The recent summit in Beijing reveals a calculated display of anti-Western unity by China, Russia, and North Korea. The leaders' public appearance together, especially at a military parade, is a clear message of defiance against US-led influence. Kim's attendance, alongside Xi and Putin, signifies North Korea's desire to project strength and independence, especially as it advances its missile technology with new solid-fuel ICBMs capable of reaching the US. The absence of denuclearisation talks indicates Pyongyang's firm stance that nuclear weapons are non-negotiable, despite longstanding regional and international pressure. This trip consolidates North Korea's strategic partnership with Moscow and Beijing, which is likely to deepen as North Korea continues missile tests and supports Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. The leaders' reaffirmed commitments suggest that the trilateral alliance will persist, potentially escalating regional tensions and complicating diplomatic efforts for stability in East Asia and beyond.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post highlights Kim's first multilateral diplomatic event since 2012, emphasizing the significance of his attendance at the Beijing parade and bilateral talks with Xi. It notes the strained China-North Korea relations due to Pyongyang's support for Russia in Ukraine but underscores their efforts to restore strategic ties. The article also points out the absence of denuclearisation discussions, despite North Korea's recent missile tests and development of advanced ICBMs, including the Hwasong-20. The Japan Times focuses on Kim's reaffirmation of unwavering friendship with China and the symbolic importance of the trip, especially as it marks North Korea's first appearance on a multilateral stage since 2011. It discusses the complex relationship between China and North Korea, noting China's strategic interest in maintaining North Korea as a buffer state and diplomatic leverage. Al Jazeera provides a broader geopolitical context, detailing the deepening military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang, including North Korea's support for Russia in Ukraine and the recent mutual defense pact. It also highlights the significance of the leaders' joint appearance at the parade as a message of resistance to Western influence. The New York Post offers a more propagandistic perspective, emphasizing Kim's meeting with Putin and Xi as a major propaganda win, with images portraying Kim alongside the other leaders and showcasing North Korea's military strength. Overall, the sources collectively portray a strategic, coordinated effort by China, Russia, and North Korea to challenge Western dominance and bolster their regional and global influence.
How we got here
Kim Jong-un's visit to Beijing follows a series of high-profile diplomatic events, including his first trip abroad since 2019. The trip coincides with a massive military parade marking 80 years since Japan's WWII defeat, where Xi, Putin, and Kim appeared together for the first time since the Cold War. The leaders' gathering underscores their shared opposition to Western influence and aims to strengthen strategic ties amid North Korea's ongoing missile development and its support for Russia in Ukraine.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What Does North Korea's Meeting with China Mean for Regional Power Ties?
Recently, North Korea's Kim Jong-un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, signaling a significant shift in regional alliances. This meeting, along with Kim's appearance with Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlights a growing bloc challenging Western influence in Asia. But what does this mean for regional stability, US influence, and the broader geopolitical landscape? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding these developments.
-
What Do Kim and Xi's Meetings Mean for Regional Alliances?
Recent high-level meetings between North Korea's Kim Jong-un and China's Xi Jinping, alongside their joint displays of solidarity with Russia, signal significant shifts in regional power dynamics. These developments raise questions about the future of alliances in Asia and beyond, and how Western powers are responding to this evolving landscape. Below, we explore what these meetings reveal about regional alliances, their implications for global stability, and what they mean for international diplomacy.
-
Why Did Kim Jong-un Visit Beijing Now?
Kim Jong-un's recent trip to Beijing marks a significant shift in North Korea's diplomatic strategy. His visit to attend a major military parade alongside Chinese and Russian leaders signals a move to strengthen alliances amid ongoing global tensions. But what prompted this visit now, and what does it mean for international relations? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this historic trip and its implications for global politics.
-
What’s Happening in the World Today?
Stay updated with the latest headlines shaping our world today. From global diplomacy and political shifts to emerging health trends and local incidents, these stories offer a snapshot of current events. Curious about how these developments connect and what they mean for the future? Read on for answers to your most pressing questions.
-
Why Are Kim, Xi, and Putin Meeting Now?
Recently, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un traveled to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This high-profile gathering marks a significant shift in international relations, raising questions about the motives behind their meeting and what it means for global politics. Many wonder why now, what their alliance signifies, and how it could impact the world order. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this historic trip and its implications.
-
Why Did Kim Jong-un Travel Outside North Korea for the First Time Since 2019?
Kim Jong-un's recent trip to Beijing marks a significant shift in North Korea's diplomatic approach. After years of isolation, his visit to China and the meeting with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin signal a potential change in regional dynamics. Many are asking: what does this trip mean for North Korea's foreign policy, and how might it impact regional stability? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this historic journey.
-
What Does the Beijing Military Parade Mean for Global Power?
The recent military parade in Beijing has caught the world's attention, showcasing China's growing military strength and signaling a shift in international relations. Leaders like Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong-un appeared together, reaffirming alliances and challenging Western influence. But what does this display of power really mean for global politics? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this significant event and its implications for the world stage.
-
How Are North Korea, China, and Russia Strengthening Their Alliance?
Recent high-profile meetings and joint appearances suggest that North Korea, China, and Russia are deepening their strategic ties. From Kim Jong-un's visit to Beijing to joint military displays, these nations are signaling a united front against Western influence. But what exactly are the benefits driving this alliance, and could it reshape global power dynamics? Below, we explore the key questions about this growing partnership and what it means for the world.
-
What Does Kim's Beijing Trip Mean for Western Countries and Global Stability?
Kim Jong-un's recent visit to Beijing for a military parade alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin marks a significant shift in international relations. This high-profile alliance signals a concerted effort by North Korea, China, and Russia to challenge Western influence and reshape regional power dynamics. But what does this mean for Western nations and global stability? Below, we explore key questions about the implications of this diplomatic move and how Western countries might respond.
More on these topics
-
Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
-
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
-
Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012.
-
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
-
China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
-
Beijing, alternatively romanized as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's most populous capital city, with over 21 million residents within an administrative area of 16,410.5 km².
-
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in