Kim Jong Un makes surprise visit to Dandong, meets China's Wang Huning

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made an unannounced visit on Sunday to the Chinese border city of Dandong, a sudden turn in North-East Asian politics. The secret and abrupt trip has stirred considerable activity in diplomatic circles in South Korea and Western countries.

During the visit, Kim met Wang Huning, the fourth most senior leader in China. He signalled that the historic and strategic cooperation between the two countries would be strengthened further.

Senior officials of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party and government accompanied Kim. The delegation included North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, Kim's influential sister Kim Yo Jong, and senior party leader Jo Yong Won.

On the Chinese side, the meeting was led by Wang Huning, a senior Chinese Communist Party leader and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and several other senior officials were present. The two sides discussed in detail strengthening economic, military and trade ties.

This is Kim's first publicly known visit to China since his trip to Beijing in September 2025, when he attended events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and met President Xi Jinping. It is Kim's sixth visit to China since he came to power in 2011.

During the meeting, Wang Huning conveyed greetings and respects from President Xi Jinping to Kim. A lavish banquet was also held to welcome Kim on Xi's special instruction. Kim also visited a large bus factory in Dandong and saw China's industrial progress.

The visit also had an emotional and historical side. China is marking the 76th anniversary of its involvement in the Korean War of 1950 to 1953. On the occasion, Kim laid a wreath at a memorial to the Chinese soldiers who died defending North Korea in the war, and paid tribute to them.

Kim said: "North Korea and its people will never forget the contribution of the Chinese soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the North Korean revolution and the defence of our land." He reiterated that this bond forged in blood and the long-standing friendship between the two countries would be made firmer in the days ahead.

The intelligence agencies of South Korea, Japan and the United States are said to be on alert over Kim's secret trip. Amid growing military cooperation between Washington and Seoul, the meeting shows China and North Korea moving closer. Experts say China's support is considered very important for the Kim administration at a time of international sanctions and economic difficulty. Dandong is a border city and the main hub of trade between the two countries, so the meeting is also seen as an attempt to increase economic exchange.