China Avoids Mentioning Denuclearization During Xi’s North Korea Visit, Repeats Existing Principles

The Chinese government has not clarified whether the North Korean nuclear issue will be discussed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korea. Despite repeated questions about denuclearization, officials reiterated existing principles and avoided providing specific answers.

At a regular briefing on June 8, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian was asked whether President Xi plans to discuss the North Korean nuclear issue with Chairman Kim Jong Un during his state visit. Lin replied, “China’s position and policy on the Korean Peninsula issue remain consistent and stable.”

When asked directly whether China is still pursuing North Korea’s denuclearization, the spokesperson did not answer. Lin stated, “Details regarding President Xi’s state visit to North Korea will be released at an appropriate time,” and added, “Please continue to follow the developments closely.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to pay a state visit to North Korea from the 8th to the 9th, announced by China and North Korea on the 5th. This will be President Xi's first visit to North Korea in about seven years since June 2019 and his second visit since Kim Jong Un took power. The photo shows Chinese President Xi Jinping shaking hands with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on June 20, 2019, before the China-North Korea summit. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed a similar stance on June 5. At that time, when asked whether the denuclearization issue would be discussed during President Xi’s visit to North Korea, the ministry stated, “Maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula serves the shared interests of countries in the region and is a common expectation of the international community.” The ministry also expressed hope that the relevant countries would play a constructive role in seeking a political resolution.

President Xi’s visit to North Korea has drawn attention to China’s influence over Pyongyang and its potential role. In particular, it is noteworthy that China has issued different messages about North Korea’s denuclearization depending on the situation in recent months.

After last month’s U.S.-China summit, the White House explained that both countries reaffirmed their shared goal of North Korea’s denuclearization. In contrast, in a recent joint statement following a China-Russia summit, China did not mention denuclearization but instead emphasized its opposition to sanctions against North Korea.

Diplomatic sources suggest that, during the coordination for this visit, China may in effect have accepted North Korea’s refusal to discuss the denuclearization agenda.

Meanwhile, President Xi arrived in Pyongyang on this day and began a two-day state visit. This marks his first trip to North Korea in seven years since 2019. The summit between the North Korean and Chinese leaders comes nine months after Chairman Kim Jong Un attended China’s Victory Day celebrations last September.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.