North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to stand alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing next week. The rare diplomatic gathering will take place during a massive military parade on Wednesday, September 3rd, held to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The guest list for the V-Day commemoration highlights a stark geopolitical divide. While 26 foreign leaders are expected, the event will not be attended by any heads of state from the United States or major Western European nations. Their decision to skip the parade underscores deep rifts with Russia over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
For Kim Jong Un, this marks his first journey outside North Korea since 2019 and is a clear effort to bolster ties with his most important ally. China is indispensable to North Korea’s survival, providing crucial aid and accounting for approximately 97% of its trade. Observers believe Pyongyang is keen to reaffirm its allegiance to Beijing.
The timing of the visit is critical, as North Korea has recently been strengthening its military and economic cooperation with Russia. Kim’s joint appearance with both Putin and Xi in the Chinese capital will send a powerful message of a coordinated challenge to the Western-led international order.