North Korea, China Pledge Deeper Ties, Jointly Resist Hegemonism

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi pledged on Sunday to strengthen bilateral relations and jointly resist "hegemonism" and unilateralism, a veiled critique of U.S. influence amid escalating global tensions. The meeting in Beijing, reported by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), occurred three weeks after a landmark summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping—their first in over six years—where they committed to enhanced cooperation and mutual support. This diplomatic outreach underscores Beijing's strategic balancing act in Northeast Asia, as both nations navigate sanctions, territorial disputes, and alliances with Russia.

Choe invoked Kim's directive that bolstering ties with China remains Pyongyang's "unwavering position", aligning with the summit's spirit to deepen friendly relations. Wang echoed this, emphasising the need for "strategic communications and exchanges" to solidify partnerships. According to China's Xinhua News Agency, Wang affirmed Beijing's opposition to "all forms of hegemonism" and readiness to collaborate on international and regional issues. Choe responded that North Korea seeks close multilateral cooperation with China to counter "unilateralism and power politics", advocating for a "fairer and more just world order". The ministers reportedly achieved "complete consensus" on regional and global matters, though specifics were not disclosed.

The rhetoric directly alludes to ongoing frictions: China's trade war and technological rivalry with the U.S., and North Korea's nuclear programme, which has drawn intensified UN sanctions since Kim's 2017 missile tests. Pyongyang's defiance persists, with recent ICBM launches over the Sea of Japan prompting U.S.-South Korea joint drills. The Beijing talks follow Kim's rare attendance at a massive military parade commemorating World War II's end, where he stood alongside Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin—the trio's first joint appearance—signalling a potential anti-Western axis. Analysts view this as symbolic posturing but question China's depth of commitment, given its economic interdependence with Washington.

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In recent years, North Korea has pivoted toward Moscow, dispatching troops and munitions to support Russia's Ukraine invasion, which began in 2022 and has claimed over 500,000 lives. Yet, with whispers of potential ceasefires and U.S. mediation efforts under President Donald Trump, experts suggest Kim is recalibrating by mending fences with China, Pyongyang's primary economic lifeline providing food, fuel, and trade worth $1.5 billion annually. Beijing, wary of a unified Korean Peninsula under Seoul's democratic influence, aims to retain leverage over its neighbour. Ties had reportedly frayed since Xi's 2019 visit, amid North Korea's Russia tilt, but the Kim-Xi summit revived momentum.

Spotlight now shifts to China's delegation for North Korea's October 10 extravaganza marking the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party founding. Pyongyang anticipates a grand military parade showcasing advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic systems aimed at U.S. Pacific bases. The event could host high-level Chinese attendees, further cementing the alliance. As the U.S. bolsters alliances with Japan and South Korea—evident in September's trilateral summit—Pyongyang and Beijing's vows signal a fortified front, complicating denuclearisation talks and raising stakes for global stability.

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