KATHMANDU: Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea on June 8-9 for talks with leader Kim Jong Un, marking his first trip to Pyongyang since 2019. The visit comes as North Korea deepens ties with Russia while maintaining its longstanding alliance with China, its largest trading partner and key economic supporter.

The leaders are expected to discuss trade, tourism, regional security and North Korea’s nuclear program. Beijing is also seen as a potential mediator in efforts to revive dialogue between Pyongyang, South Korea and the United States.

The visit coincides with the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea mutual defense treaty and highlights Beijing’s continuing influence over its isolated neighbor.