Beijing is preparing to host a major military parade next Wednesday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin slated to be the highest-profile guests. The visit will be Kim’s first to a foreign country in several years.
A total of 26 foreign leaders are expected to join Chinese President Xi Jinping for the event. The diplomatic lineup, however, clearly illustrates global divisions, as no leaders from the United States or major Western European nations will be present. Their absence is linked to the ongoing international friction with Russia over the war in Ukraine.
Kim’s trip is a significant diplomatic event, marking his first visit to China since 2019. Relations between the two communist states have been under observation, but China’s economic importance to North Korea is undeniable, representing 97% of its total trade. This visit is seen as an effort by Kim to strengthen these vital ties.
The gathering in Beijing is more than just a historical commemoration; it’s a statement on contemporary geopolitics. With North Korea actively supporting Russia’s war effort, Kim’s appearance alongside Putin on Xi’s stage signals a consolidation of alliances among nations at odds with the West.