Chinese top envoy Wang Yi set for North Korea trip, first since Pyongyang visit in 2019

AdvertisementChina-North Korea relationsChinaDiplomacyChinese top envoy Wang Yi set for North Korea trip, first since Pyongyang visit in 2019Trip comes as Beijing and Pyongyang step up engagement, including high-level exchanges in recent months 1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenVanessa Caiin ShanghaiPublished: 4:18pm, 8 Apr 2026Beijing’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to North Korea on Thursday for a two-day visit, according to China’s foreign ministry.The visit, at the invitation of the North Korean foreign ministry, will be Wang’s first trip to North Korea since early September 2019, when he travelled to Pyongyang for three days. Earlier this year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un cemented his leadership at the latest congress of the country’s ruling party. AdvertisementChinese President Xi Jinping said in his congratulatory message that he was ready to work with Kim to “open a new chapter in China-DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] friendship”. Air China resumes direct passenger flights to North Korea after 6-year pause Air China resumes direct passenger flights to North Korea after 6-year pauseThe visit by China’s top diplomat comes as Beijing steps up connections with Pyongyang, including a series of high-level exchanges between the two countries in recent months. AdvertisementAdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x