Kim Jong Un Emerges as Key Diplomatic Player at Xi’s Beijing Parade
At a grand military parade in Beijing last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un captured the global spotlight, emerging as the standout foreign guest among more than two dozen world leaders. Standing alongside China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Kim projected an image of strength and influence, signaling his prominent role in an alternative global order being shaped by Beijing and Moscow.
Strengthening Ties with China and Russia
Kim’s visit was not just ceremonial. He held his first summit with Xi in six years, mending ties that had been strained by Pyongyang’s growing military partnership with Moscow. On the sidelines, he reinforced his bond with Putin, who praised North Korean troops for their role supporting Russia in the conflict in Ukraine.
A highlight of Kim’s diplomatic win was a private tea and banquet hosted by Xi at Zhongnanhai, the Chinese leadership compound—a rare honor extended only to Putin and Kim among the parade’s foreign guests. For a leader long seen as a junior partner to both powers, the treatment marked a significant propaganda success.
Denuclearization No Longer Central
Perhaps Kim’s most strategic victory was subtle but critical: official reports of the Xi-Kim summit omitted any mention of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. This marks a sharp departure from previous meetings between the two leaders in 2018-2019 and suggests that China may now tacitly accept North Korea as a nuclear-armed state.
Tong Zhao, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, observed: “With the denuclearization goal now removed from the official readout, a significant shift in China’s long-term policy is confirmed. North Korea’s most powerful ally has, reluctantly but significantly, abandoned the pursuit of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.”
North Korea Advances Its Missile Program
Emboldened by Beijing’s support, Kim oversaw a test of a new high-thrust rocket engine intended for North Korea’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-20. Analysts suggest this development underscores Pyongyang’s continued commitment to strengthening its nuclear capabilities, with China providing a diplomatic shield and Russia offering military collaboration.
Strategic Implications for the US
Kim’s strengthened international standing could influence future negotiations with the United States. Despite past setbacks in denuclearization talks, President Donald Trump has indicated openness to re-engage diplomatically with Pyongyang. However, US foreign policy faces multiple challenges, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and Israel’s regional actions, complicating any potential negotiations.
China and Russia: A Shift in Policy
Historically, China has played a central role in curbing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, often coordinating with the United States and supporting UN sanctions. But as US-China relations cooled, Beijing has quietly reduced its pressure on Pyongyang. Russia, meanwhile, has openly supported North Korea’s nuclear program, with officials calling denuclearization a “closed issue” and showing respect for Pyongyang’s strategic deterrent.
While Beijing hasn’t gone as far as Moscow, its omission of denuclearization from official statements signals a meaningful policy shift. Analysts note this could pave the way for closer China-North Korea collaboration and potential trilateral cooperation with Russia.
A Changing Global Order
Independent political analyst Wu Qiang in Beijing emphasized that China’s tacit acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear status aligns with a broader strategy to challenge US-led global norms. “Beijing may view the disruption of the existing order as serving its strategic interests, particularly if it undermines US influence in the Asia-Pacific,” Wu said.
This development contrasts sharply with China’s and Russia’s stance less than a decade ago, when both countries supported UN sanctions against North Korea. Experts caution, however, that the omission of denuclearization from the summit readout may not yet represent a formal change in Beijing’s official policy.