Chinese President Xi Jinping made a rare visit to North Korea, vowing to elevate the traditional alliance to "new heights" amidst lavish welcoming ceremonies. The visit aimed to reassert Beijing's influence over Pyongyang, which has recently strengthened ties with Moscow, and focused on expanding cooperation in various sectors without public mention of North Korea's nuclear program. This move allows Xi to gain leverage in future dealings with US President Donald Trump, while Kim Jong-un seeks economic and political benefits and international recognition as a nuclear state.