Xi Jinping of China is visiting North Korea after talks with Trump and Putin

Jun 08(Jowhar)- As he departs for North Korea on his first foreign trip of the year, Chinese President Xi Jinping has described what he calls a "unbreakable friendship" with Pyongyang – a message aimed at demonstrating the enduring partnership that has long shaped the geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asia.

For decades, China has been North Korea's largest trading partner and a crucial diplomatic and economic supporter, especially as international sanctions have hurt the country, which is home to approximately 26 million people. Beijing's role has made it essential to any discussion about the future direction of Pyongyang, from economic survival to security strategy.

This visit is Mr. Xi's first to North Korea since 2019 and follows high-level diplomacy he engaged in in Beijing, where he held separate talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It also comes amid the stalled diplomacy between North Korea and Washington, with no clear path back to negotiations.

The White House stated last month that Mr. Xi and Mr. Trump "confirmed their joint goal of denuclearizing North Korea" during their summit in Beijing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that the two leaders would "exchange views on bilateral relations and common concerns" and would "contribute to regional and even global peace".

The White House stated last month that Mr. Xi and Mr. Trump 'confirmed their joint goal of denuclearizing North Korea'

Just a day before Mr. Xi's arrival, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un issued a stark reminder of Pyongyang's position, calling North Korea's nuclear weapons program a "point of no return".