China’s President Xi Jinping is stepping up his diplomatic influence as he prepares to host Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, in Beijing.
The visit, scheduled around China’s September 3rd military parade marking 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War Two, is being seen as a major foreign policy win for Xi.
For the first time since 1959, a North Korean leader will attend a military parade in China, underscoring the significance of Kim’s participation.
Analysts say Xi is using the opportunity to showcase China not only as the world’s second-largest economy but also as a strategic power broker at a time of shifting global alliances.
While the United States struggles to broker peace in Ukraine and President Donald Trump signals renewed interest in meeting Kim Jong Un, Beijing appears to be positioning itself as the meeting ground for major global negotiations.
China has maintained an official stance of neutrality on the Russia–Ukraine war, though Washington has accused Beijing of indirectly supporting Moscow’s war effort.
North Korea, on the other hand, has openly backed Russia’s invasion, tightening ties with the Kremlin.
Observers note that Kim’s reliance on China remains critical, with Beijing accounting for nearly 90 percent of North Korea’s food imports.
His presence in Beijing also bolsters his legitimacy on the global stage.
For Xi, however, the diplomatic advantage is clear.
Hosting both Putin and Kim before a possible meeting with President Trump later this year gives Beijing significant leverage in ongoing trade talks with Washington, as well as in discussions about global security and peace efforts.
With China, Russia, and North Korea visibly closing ranks, the stage may soon be set for a rare and high-stakes meeting involving Xi, Putin, Kim, and Trump.