Xi’s two-day trip to Pyongyang, his first in seven years, underscored efforts by Beijing and Pyongyang to revitalize a traditional alliance that has faced new challenges amid North Korea’s growing ties with Russia and shifting regional geopolitical dynamics.

During a summit on Monday, Xi expressed China’s willingness to expand cooperation in areas including trade, agriculture, construction and technology, according to Chinese and North Korean state media. Kim, in turn, described maintaining ties with China as a top strategic priority for his government.

The visit included a series of highly symbolic events aimed at highlighting historical bonds between the two neighbors. Xi and Kim visited a monument commemorating Chinese soldiers who fought alongside North Korean forces during the 1950-53 Korean War and emphasized the importance of preserving the legacy of bilateral cooperation and resistance against foreign pressure.

The two leaders also toured a Workers’ Party training institution and participated in a tree-planting ceremony intended to symbolize the long-term development of relations between their countries.

The summit came less than a year after Xi and Kim met in Beijing and reflected a broader effort by both governments to maintain strategic coordination amid growing uncertainty in Northeast Asia.

State media reports emphasized commitments to expand economic and political cooperation and highlighted North Korea’s support for China’s position on Taiwan under Beijing’s “one-China” policy.

Notably absent from official accounts of the talks was any public discussion of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, a longstanding source of regional tension and a central issue in international diplomacy involving Pyongyang.

The omission has drawn attention among regional analysts. Some experts view the absence of references to denuclearization as a diplomatic advantage for North Korea, which has increasingly sought recognition as a nuclear-armed state while pressing for sanctions relief and greater international acceptance.

Ban Kil Joo, an assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul, said the lack of discussion about denuclearization could be interpreted as China leaving room for broader acceptance of North Korea’s current strategic status rather than actively challenging it.

Analysts also see the visit as part of China’s effort to restore its influence over North Korea after Pyongyang deepened military and political cooperation with Russia in recent years. North Korea has strengthened ties with Moscow through support for Russian military efforts and expanded strategic cooperation, raising questions about Beijing’s traditional role as Pyongyang’s primary external partner.

Kim Gyubeom, an analyst at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul, said China appears to be pursuing a pragmatic approach that maintains communication and influence without applying significant pressure on North Korea, while prioritizing regional stability.

For Beijing, stronger ties with Pyongyang may also provide additional diplomatic leverage in its broader relationship with the United States. Analysts note that renewed Chinese influence over North Korea could become a factor in future dealings between Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly indicated interest in restarting diplomacy with Kim.

The visit highlighted a convergence of interests between Beijing and Pyongyang as both governments navigate an increasingly complex regional environment marked by strategic competition, security concerns and shifting alliances across East Asia.

The People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command said it deployed naval and air forces to monitor the vessel during its passage through the strategically sensitive waterway.

The statement followed China’s accusation last week that the same Dutch warship had illegally entered waters near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The Netherlands rejected the claim, saying the vessel was operating in accordance with international law during a deployment focused on diplomatic, security and economic interests.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and regards the Taiwan Strait as part of its territorial waters, a position disputed by many Western governments, which view the waterway as an international passage.

The Dutch navy did not immediately comment on China’s latest statement.The transit highlights continuing tensions over freedom of navigation and competing territorial claims in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

The travel restrictions were communicated through China’s embassy in Wellington and conveyed to the lawmakers by New Zealand’s Parliamentary Service, according to messages seen by The Associated Press on Thursday. The ban applies to lawmakers Laura McClure, Duncan Webb, Maureen Pugh and David Wilson.

China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the sanctions on Thursday. Spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing opposed visits to Taiwan by members of legislatures from countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China and urged those involved to respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Anyone who crosses the red line on the Taiwan question must pay the price,” Mao told a regular press briefing in Beijing.

According to communications relayed by parliamentary officials, the restrictions could be lifted if the lawmakers apologized for their visit to Taiwan. Two of the lawmakers publicly rejected that demand.

ACT Party lawmaker Laura McClure described the request as inappropriate and said she would not apologize. Labour Party lawmaker Duncan Webb said New Zealand lawmakers were entitled to engage with international partners and that he was prepared to accept the consequences of the ban.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ office said visits by parliamentarians to Taiwan had occurred for decades and were not inconsistent with New Zealand’s One China policy, under which Wellington acknowledges Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China while maintaining unofficial relations with Taipei.

The government said officials in Wellington and Beijing would seek further clarification from Chinese authorities and formally express concern over the decision.

The sanctions mark the first known instance of New Zealand parliamentarians being barred from entering China over contact with Taiwan, according to the New Zealand government. Beijing has previously imposed similar restrictions on lawmakers from other countries as it intensifies efforts to discourage official engagement with Taiwan.

The issue has also drawn attention in neighboring Australia. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra would raise concerns with Chinese officials and reiterated that lawmakers should be free to make independent decisions regarding overseas travel.

China regards democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes official exchanges between Taipei and foreign governments or legislators. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and maintains its own elected government and foreign engagements.

The dispute emerges despite generally stable relations between New Zealand and China in recent years. China remains New Zealand’s largest trading partner and was the first Western nation to conclude a free trade agreement with Beijing.

The patrol was described as a “law enforcement” operation aimed at safeguarding China’s sovereign rights. Beijing has criticized the planned negotiations, arguing they involve waters east of Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry rejected China’s position, saying Beijing has no authority over Taiwan’s territorial sovereignty or maritime rights. The dispute adds to growing regional tensions, with Chinese military and coast guard vessels operating frequently around Taiwan and in the South China Sea.

China claims Taiwan and most of the South China Sea under its “nine-dash line” map, a position rejected by Taiwan and several neighboring countries.

The annual summit, hosted in Singapore and attended by defense ministers, military leaders and security experts from across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, has traditionally provided a platform for senior Chinese officials to outline Beijing’s strategic priorities and engage directly with counterparts from major powers.

This year, however, China did not send Defense Minister Dong Jun. Instead, Beijing dispatched a delegation composed largely of military academics and researchers from the People’s Liberation Army, marking a noticeable departure from its customary high-profile representation.

The absence also meant Dong did not participate in face-to-face meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or defense officials from countries including Australia, Britain, France and Japan.

A centerpiece of previous Shangri-La Dialogues had been a keynote address by China’s defense minister or another senior official outlining Beijing’s views on regional security, military modernization and international affairs. That session was absent from the conference agenda for the second consecutive year.

Speaking during his keynote address, Hegseth noted the absence of his Chinese counterpart and said he hoped future opportunities would arise for direct communication between the two sides on issues where military actions and intentions can be interpreted differently.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles described China’s limited participation as a missed opportunity for candid dialogue on regional security concerns.

Despite the absence from Singapore, Dong met Hegseth earlier this month during President Donald Trump’s visit to China.

Members of the Chinese delegation downplayed the significance of the minister’s nonattendance. Retired PLA senior colonel Zhou Bo said academic delegations had participated in the forum before, though he acknowledged that this year’s representation was at a comparatively lower level.

Analysts attending the forum suggested Beijing may have sought to avoid difficult questions regarding cross-strait tensions involving Taiwan and the impact of recent military corruption investigations on China’s defense establishment.

Chong Ja Ian said the composition of the delegation raised questions about its authority to speak on behalf of the Chinese government and military leadership.

Some diplomats also suggested Beijing may have wished to avoid a repeat of previous confrontations at the forum. In 2025, Hegseth sharply criticized China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific and urged regional allies to strengthen defense spending, prompting a strong response from Beijing.

This year, Hegseth adopted a more measured tone while still warning against any attempt by a single power to dominate the region. He said no country should be able to impose hegemony over regional security and prosperity, while also noting that relations between Washington and Beijing had improved compared with previous years.

China began regularly sending senior delegations to the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2007 and elevated its participation by dispatching defense ministers on multiple occasions, including from 2022 through 2024. The conference was suspended in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veteran Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan said the primary purpose of the forum remains maintaining U.S. strategic engagement in Southeast Asia. While Chinese ministerial participation is welcome, he argued, it is not essential to the event’s broader objectives.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said it detected 21 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles, operating around Taiwan on Monday alongside Chinese naval vessels participating in what Beijing describes as a joint combat readiness patrol.

The patrol marked the second such operation within a week and came as Taiwan remains alert to potential shifts in Chinese military behavior following discussions on Taiwan between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump during Trump’s recent visit to Beijing.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has steadily increased military pressure on the island through frequent deployments of warships and military aircraft. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and maintains that only the island’s people can determine their future.

According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, the Chinese aircraft and naval vessels operated around multiple sectors of the island before the patrol concluded. Taipei responded by dispatching ships and combat aircraft to monitor the movements and maintain surveillance.

The ministry also released images captured by Taiwanese forces, including photographs from an F-16 fighter showing two Chinese aircraft flying near a Y-20 aerial refueling tanker. Additional images showed the Chinese guided-missile destroyer Yinchuan and a Taiwanese sailor observing the vessel through binoculars.

Speaking in Taipei on Tuesday, Pan Chun-kuang of the defense ministry’s intelligence department said the latest patrol had ended but stressed that Taiwan continued to monitor Chinese military activities in surrounding waters and airspace.

Pan said Taiwan was closely tracking the movements of China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning in the Western Pacific and would provide additional information on Chinese deployments when necessary.

The latest operation followed a similar Chinese readiness patrol conducted last Tuesday, one day before Taiwan President Lai Ching-te marked the second anniversary of his administration. Beijing has repeatedly labeled Lai a separatist and has rejected his offers for dialogue.

Military activity has also extended beyond the Taiwan Strait. Over the weekend, Taiwan’s coast guard reported an encounter with a Chinese coast guard vessel near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands, a strategically important outpost in the northern reaches of the South China Sea.

Separately, Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu said on social media that approximately 100 Chinese vessels were operating within the so-called first island chain, a strategic maritime corridor stretching from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines.

China’s Ministry of National Defense did not immediately comment on Taiwan’s account of the patrol.

The increased tempo of Chinese military operations reflects Beijing’s continued effort to assert its claims over Taiwan while testing the island’s defensive readiness and signaling its opposition to any moves it perceives as supporting Taiwanese sovereignty.

Official trade data showed Taiwan exported 181,159 drones between January and April, almost 20 times the volume recorded during the same period a year earlier and exceeding total exports for all of 2025. The majority of shipments were sent to the Czech Republic and Poland, destinations industry observers believe serve as transit points for equipment ultimately supporting Ukraine’s defense effort.

The sharp rise highlights how the Russia-Ukraine war has transformed the global drone market, with low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles becoming essential tools for reconnaissance, surveillance and precision strikes. The conflict has accelerated military spending worldwide and increased demand for alternative drone suppliers outside China.

Taiwan is positioning itself as an Asian production center for so-called “non-red” drones and components, a term used by industry participants to describe products free from Chinese materials and supply chains. The strategy aligns with broader efforts by Western governments and defense industries to reduce dependence on Chinese technology.

While Taiwanese manufacturers benefit from the island’s advanced electronics ecosystem, including strengths in semiconductors and artificial intelligence, they face significant cost disadvantages. Industry executives say non-Chinese drones can cost up to three times more than comparable products from Chinese manufacturers such as DJI, which dominates the global commercial drone market through large-scale production.

Analysts say overseas sales have become increasingly important for Taiwan’s emerging drone sector because domestic demand remains limited. Samara Duerr, a policy analyst at the Taiwan government-backed Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology, said international markets provide manufacturers with the scale and operational experience needed to expand production capacity.

The export boom also reflects opportunities created by Beijing’s tightening restrictions on drone exports in recent years. Those controls have encouraged foreign buyers to seek alternative suppliers, benefiting Taiwanese firms attempting to establish themselves in global supply chains.

Taiwan’s government has set ambitious targets for the sector, aiming to increase monthly production capacity to 100,000 drones by 2030, significantly above earlier goals. Officials view drone manufacturing as both an economic opportunity and a strategic necessity as Taiwan seeks to strengthen its defense capabilities in the face of military pressure from China.

China claims Taiwan as its territory and has intensified military activity around the island in recent years. Taipei sees the development of a domestic drone industry as part of broader efforts to enhance self-reliance and deterrence.

Industry leaders argue, however, that progress is being constrained by delays in government procurement programs. Plans to acquire more than 200,000 domestically produced drones under a proposed defense package worth nearly $40 billion have been stalled in Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament.

Max Lo, chairman of drone manufacturer AeroSoarX, said overseas contracts were essential for maintaining production lines while domestic orders remain uncertain. Taiwanese companies have increasingly pursued customers in Eastern Europe, particularly those involved in supporting Ukraine’s war effort.

Despite strong export growth, industry experts caution that Taiwan faces formidable competition. Ukraine has rapidly developed its own drone manufacturing ecosystem during the war and could emerge as a major exporter once hostilities end. Chinese producers also continue to dominate many segments of the market through lower prices and extensive manufacturing capacity.

Marcin Jerzewski of the European Values Center for Security Policy said one challenge for Taiwanese firms is proving their systems can perform under combat conditions, an area where Ukrainian manufacturers now possess extensive battlefield experience.

Analysts say Taiwan may ultimately find its strongest competitive advantage in specialized drone components rather than complete systems. Artur Savchii of Ukraine’s Snake Island Institute pointed to areas such as lithium-ion cells and advanced electronic components, where Taiwan’s technology sector could help reduce global dependence on Chinese suppliers.

Taiwanese companies are also expanding internationally through partnerships and joint ventures. Drone manufacturer Thunder Tiger has established a venture to produce drone motors in the U.S. state of Ohio and is exploring further expansion into Europe, betting that security concerns over Chinese technology will continue to drive demand for alternative suppliers.

Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, said in a post on X that the deployment had taken place over the past few days following U.S. President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Wu said China was undermining the status quo and threatening peace and stability in the region.

A Taiwan security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that Chinese vessels had been detected before the Beijing summit but that the number operating in the region had risen above 100 in recent days.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory, has repeatedly stated that it reserves the right to use force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and maintains that only its people can determine the island’s future.The reported increase in Chinese maritime activity came days after Trump referred to “the Taiwan problem” when asked whether he would discuss arms sales with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.

Trump said he would speak with Lai and noted that he had held what he described as a productive meeting with Xi during his state visit to China.“We’ll work on that, the Taiwan problem,” Trump said on Wednesday.

Taiwan has frequently reported heightened Chinese military and coast guard operations around the island, activities that Taipei says are aimed at increasing pressure on its government and testing regional security responses.

The latest deployment, according to Taiwanese officials, extended across multiple strategic waterways in East Asia, underscoring Beijing’s expanding maritime presence at a time of heightened geopolitical scrutiny in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding seas.

Taiwan has been awaiting approval of a U.S. weapons package that Reuters previously reported could be worth as much as $14 billion. The issue has drawn increased attention after President Donald Trump said earlier this month that he had not yet decided whether to authorize the proposed sale following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Questions over the status of the package intensified after Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on Thursday that arms sales to Taiwan had been paused to ensure sufficient munitions were available for Operation Epic Fury, the military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in February.

A source familiar with the matter disputed that characterization, saying arms transfers to Taiwan require years of planning, review and implementation and are unrelated to the conflict with Iran.
“These sales take years to process and are unrelated to Operation Epic Fury,” the source said, adding that the U.S. military maintained adequate munitions inventories to support the administration’s strategic objectives.

The comments come as Washington seeks to balance support for Taiwan’s defense capabilities with broader management of relations with Beijing. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed U.S. arms sales to the island, urging Washington to halt such transfers.

The United States, while maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan, is obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the self-governed island with the means to defend itself.

Following Trump’s meeting with Xi, U.S. officials reiterated that Washington’s policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged.

Taiwan’s government said on Friday it had not received any information indicating delays to pending U.S. arms sales.

Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that only the island’s people can determine their future.

Speaking at a congressional hearing, Cao said foreign military sales to Taiwan had been put on hold while the Pentagon assessed weapons inventories needed for Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. campaign targeting Iran. He said the United States had sufficient stocks but was taking steps to ensure military requirements were fully met before resuming transfers.

“Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury,” Cao said, adding that foreign military sales would continue once the administration determined it was appropriate.

The remarks mark the clearest public indication yet that the Iran conflict has affected the timing of U.S. weapons deliveries to Taiwan, which has sought to strengthen its defenses amid rising military pressure from China.

The U.S. State Department and the Pentagon did not immediately comment on Cao’s statement.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office pushed back against suggestions that approved sales were being altered. Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo said on Friday that Taipei had received no indication Washington intended to revise the arms package.

The reported delay centers on approximately $14 billion in weapons purchases sought by Taiwan, though U.S. officials have not detailed which systems could be affected by the pause.

The development comes as questions persist over President Donald Trump’s approach to Taiwan. While the United States formally recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei, U.S. law requires Washington to provide the self-governed island with defensive weapons.

China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has repeatedly opposed U.S. arms sales to the island. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday that Beijing’s opposition to such sales remained “consistent, clear and firm.”

Trump also signaled a potential shift in approach ahead of a recent visit to China, saying he would discuss Taiwan arms sales with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Previous U.S. administrations had maintained that decisions on arms transfers to Taiwan were a matter between Washington and Taipei and not subject to consultation with Beijing.

Following the trip, Trump said he had made no commitments to Xi regarding Taiwan and would decide on the proposed sales within a relatively short period.
The pause underscores the competing demands facing U.S. defense planners as Washington balances support for partners in the Indo-Pacific with military commitments stemming from the Iran conflict.