Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping Show 'Closeness' Sitting Side-by-Side at Stadium

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a performance alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the first day of his official visit to Pyongyang on Monday, according to footage from North Korean state television KRT broadcast on Tuesday (9/6/2026). In the recording, Xi and China’s First Lady Peng Liyuan were seen sitting side-by-side with Kim Jong Un and North Korean First Lady Ri Sol Ju while watching the performance at the plaza of the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium. The event was one of the welcoming programmes for Xi during his state visit. Xi arrived in Pyongyang on Monday for a two-day visit. This marks his first visit to North Korea in seven years, signalling both countries’ efforts to strengthen ties amid regional geopolitical dynamics. The visit comes as North Korea demonstrates increased self-assurance alongside the growth of its trade and military relations with Russia. This condition is seen as possibly strengthening Kim’s position in various diplomatic and security talks. According to an official Chinese government summary, Xi asserted that Beijing and Pyongyang need to enhance strategic relations and jointly protect their respective sovereignty, security, and development interests. Xi made this statement during his meeting with Kim during the visit.