North Korea Vows Support for China and Russia in High-Level Meetings

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un assured Chinese President Xi Jinping that Pyongyang would back Beijing in defending its sovereignty, territory, and development interests, following a notable display of unity between the three nations at a military parade in Beijing and subsequent high-level meetings. Xi also praised the close ties between China, North Korea, and Russia, stating that they share a common destiny and are willing to "defend, consolidate and develop" their relations. The meetings come amid a backdrop of close cooperation between Pyongyang, Beijing, and Moscow, with Russia hailing North Korea's support for its war in Ukraine and the trio discussing long-term cooperation plans.

Key Takeaways:

• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un assured Chinese President Xi Jinping that Pyongyang would support Beijing in defending its sovereignty, territory, and development interests.
• Xi Jinping hailed China's close ties with North Korea and Russia, stating that they share a common destiny.
• The three nations displayed a notable show of unity at a military parade in Beijing, with Xi hailing China's victory 80 years ago over "Japanese aggression".
• Top-ranking Chinese Communist Party officials attended a send-off ceremony for Kim, demonstrating the close relations between Beijing and Pyongyang.
• Kim Jong Un departed Beijing on Thursday, concluding his first trip outside of North Korea since meeting with Putin in Russia in 2023.
• Putin and Kim praised the deepening military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang, with Kim reportedly telling Putin that North Korea would "fully support" Russia's army as a "fraternal duty".

Statistics:

• North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of soldiers to fight in Kursk, a Russian region briefly occupied by Ukraine.
• The military parade in Beijing displayed China's latest generation of stealth fighters, tanks, and ballistic missiles amid a highly choreographed cast of thousands.
• 26 mostly non-Western world leaders attended the parade, highlighting the international backing for Beijing's vision of a stronger, more influential regional role.
• Kim Jong Un's first trip outside of North Korea since meeting with Putin in Russia in 2023 has sparked concerns about potential strategic alliances between Pyongyang, Beijing, and Moscow.

Sources:

• Al Jazeera: "China's Xi oversees massive military parade with Putin, Kim in attendance" (September 3, 2025)
• Al Jazeera: "Putin, Kim meet in Beijing, Kremlin says Russia not plotting against US" (September 3, 2025)
• Al Jazeera: "North Korea releases video of troops fighting in Ukraine war" (August 25, 2025)