Kim Jong-un Visits China to Boost Ties

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made his first visit to China in over a year, crossing the newly opened New Yalu River Bridge into the Chinese border city of Dandong. The official visit, reported by South Korean government sources and Chinese state media, marks Kim's first known trip abroad in over a year and his sixth visit to China since he took power. The visit underscores renewed high-level engagement and efforts to strengthen economic and strategic ties between Beijing and Pyongyang, coming despite ongoing international sanctions against North Korea. Kim's arrival coincides with the lead-up to the anniversary of China's major victory in the Korean War and follows deeper cooperation moves between the two countries. He was accompanied by senior Chinese official Wang Huning, and the agenda included visiting the Dandong museum commemorating China-North Korea wartime cooperation. The opening of the New Yalu River Bridge, the largest border crossing between the countries, symbolizes the intent to expand trade and connectivity.