Seoul, May 21, 2026 — Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to make a rare state visit to North Korea as soon as next week, according to multiple South Korean government sources cited by Yonhap News Agency.36
The trip, if confirmed, would mark Xi’s first visit to Pyongyang since June 2019 the first by a Chinese head of state in 14 years at the time and comes amid heightened diplomatic maneuvering on the Korean Peninsula following last week’s U.S.-China summit in Beijing.
High-ranking South Korean officials told Yonhap that intelligence indicates Xi will travel to North Korea “soon,” with one noting preparations including recent visits by Xi’s security guards and ceremonial staff to Pyongyang. Another source pointed to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to the North last month as a precursor.
During Wang’s April visit, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed a desire to strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communication with Beijing, referencing his own visit to China in 2025. This year also marks the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.
Strategic Timing After Trump-Xi Summit
The potential visit follows closely on the heels of President Donald Trump and Xi’s summit in Beijing last week, during which the two leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of denuclearizing North Korea while addressing trade, Taiwan, and other issues.
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One South Korean government source suggested Xi could use the trip to help mediate relations between North Korea and the United States. Earlier this year, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged Xi during a summit in China to assist in mediating inter-Korean relations, and Xi responded positively.
Beijing’s Balancing Act
Analysts view such high-level Chinese visits to Pyongyang as signals of Beijing reinforcing its influence over its neighbor, especially as North Korea has deepened military and economic ties with Russia. China has long sought to maintain its role as the senior partner on the peninsula while managing risks from Pyongyang’s nuclear program and regional instability.
No official confirmation has yet been issued by Chinese or North Korean authorities, and details of any itinerary remain unknown.
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Xi’s 2019 visit featured lavish welcomes, mass performances, and discussions on economic cooperation and the nuclear issue. A new trip would likely carry similar symbolic weight while addressing current geopolitical pressures.
This developing story is being closely watched in Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo for its potential impact on denuclearization efforts, inter-Korean dynamics, and the broader U.S.-China rivalry in the region.
