Kim Jong Un’s China Visit: A Test of Alliances and Power

Next week’s visit to China by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will be a significant test of alliances and power in East Asia. He is scheduled to attend a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday marking the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end, his first foreign trip in years.
The parade, hosted by President Xi Jinping and featuring Russia’s Vladimir Putin, has been snubbed by Western leaders. Their absence, a protest against Putin’s actions in Ukraine, transforms the event into a showcase for a coalition of nations challenging the current global order.
This trip is a crucial one for Kim to manage his country’s most important relationship. North Korea’s economy is profoundly dependent on China, which accounts for an estimated 97% of its trade, making this visit a strategic necessity.
The gathering in Beijing will also highlight North Korea’s growing alignment with Russia. By appearing with both Xi and Putin after providing military support to Moscow, Kim is making a bold statement about his country’s place in a newly forming geopolitical bloc.