Beijing will engage in a powerful act of red carpet diplomacy next week, welcoming North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while implicitly rebuking the West. Kim will make his first foreign trip since 2019 to attend a military parade on Wednesday marking the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end.
The event, hosted by President Xi Jinping, will also feature Russian President Vladimir Putin. This has prompted a boycott from leaders of the U.S. and major Western European nations, who oppose Putin’s presence. Their absence only magnifies the significance of those who do attend.
Kim’s visit is a crucial mission to reaffirm his bond with his country’s most important partner. China is the primary source of aid and trade for North Korea, making this diplomatic engagement a matter of national priority for Pyongyang.
The gathering serves as a potent symbol of a shifting global order. By hosting Kim and Putin while being snubbed by the West, China is positioning itself at the center of a new coalition of nations that are challenging the long-standing international hierarchy.
Beijing’s Red Carpet Diplomacy: Welcoming Kim, Rebuking the West
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