North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited China on Saturday. Meanwhile, he inaugurated a new bridge connecting the two countries and talked about increasing cooperation with China. This is Kim’s first visit to China in a year. This is being seen as part of North Korea’s policy, under which it is strengthening its ties with China and Russia vis-a-vis the US. Because of this, there is also talk of creating a situation like a new cold war in the world.
Kim arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong via a new bridge. Here, Kim visited a memorial commemorating Chinese soldiers who aided North Korea during the Korean War (1950-1953). Here he met Wang Huning, a member of the top committee of the Communist Party of China. Kim said that North Korea will continue the friendship with China built at the cost of blood. Wang conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s best wishes to him and said the visit to the memorial is important for the relationship between the two countries. After this both the leaders visited the car factory. Wang also went to put Kim on the new bridge.
What will be the benefit of the new bridge?
The bridge over the Yalu River was inaugurated this month. Its construction was delayed for over a decade. This is expected to increase trade between the two countries. Day and night traffic will be possible on the bridge in both directions. Containers and heavy goods trucks will also be able to pass through here. Kim said the bridge would fulfill his historic purpose of connecting the two countries.
The timing of Kim’s visit to China is also important. The visit took place just days before the October 25 anniversary of China’s first major victory in the Korean War. In October 1950, Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River and entered North Korea. The war began in June 1950 with North Korea’s attack on South Korea. United Nations forces led by the United States came to South Korea’s aid, while North Korea received support from China and the Soviet Union’s air force. A ceasefire was reached in 1953, but the two countries are still technically at war.
Kim’s strategy between China, Russia and America
This is Kim’s sixth visit to China since taking power in late 2011. In September 2025, he met Xi Jinping in Beijing and watched a military parade with Russian President Vladimir Putin. North Korea has sent thousands of troops and conventional weapons to Russia to help in the Ukraine war. In return he is likely to receive military and financial support. China now wants to increase its influence over North Korea again.
Xi Jinping visited North Korea in June. He offered cooperation in the fields of trade, agriculture, construction and technology. Kim described relations with China as a strategic priority.
Will Trump meet Kim?
Kim maintains a tough stance toward South Korea. He has not yet accepted US President Donald Trump’s proposal to resume talks. Talks between the two countries broke down in 2019. North Korea wants the US to abandon its policy of hostility and not condition denuclearization before talks.
South Korea’s current liberal government wants to improve relations through dialogue and wants China to play a role in this. South Korea’s intelligence agency told lawmakers last month that there was a 50% chance Trump and Kim would meet next month during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Shenzhen, China. According to experts, if North Korea focuses on economic development rather than building up military power, it can create a better environment for dialogue and regional security.
