Why China's Ambassador Visited North Korea's Beach Resort

During Lunar New Year celebrations, China's top diplomat in North Korea made an unusual trip to a beach resort. Was this merely holiday diplomacy, or the first move in a larger economic chess game?

Wang Yajun, China's Ambassador to North Korea, along with other embassy officials, visited the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone on February 14th, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The gathering, also attended by North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong-ho, saw participants express their "will to further advance friendly ties between their two nations."

A First in Tourism Diplomacy

This visit marks a significant milestone: it's the first time North Korean state media has reported Chinese embassy officials visiting the Wonsan-Kalma tourism zone. The resort, which opened in July 2025, can accommodate up to 20,000 visitors and represents North Korea's flagship tourism infrastructure.

The timing raises intriguing questions. While Russian tourists have been visiting North Korea in group tours, Chinese tourist visits have yet to resume. So why would China's top diplomat choose to inspect North Korea's premier tourist destination during one of the most symbolically important holidays in both cultures?

The Economics Behind the Visit

North Korea's tourism strategy operates within the constraints of international sanctions. While UN Security Council resolutions have blocked major North Korean exports like coal and textiles, tourism services remain relatively outside the sanctions framework. This makes tourism one of the few viable channels for foreign currency generation.

For China, the calculus is more complex. Beijing must balance its traditional friendship with Pyongyang against its commitment to international sanctions compliance. The resumption of Chinese tourism to North Korea isn't merely a business decision—it requires careful political calibration.

Currently, Russian tourists dominate North Korea's limited foreign visitor market. As Russia-North Korea ties strengthen, particularly following their military cooperation, China may feel compelled to maintain its influence through tourism sector engagement. The ambassador's visit could signal Beijing's intent to not cede this space entirely to Moscow.

Comparing Two Approaches to North Korean Tourism

Reading the Diplomatic Tea Leaves

The ambassador's visit to Wonsan-Kalma sends multiple signals. To North Korea, it suggests China's continued interest in economic cooperation despite international pressures. To the international community, it demonstrates China's nuanced approach—engaging without explicitly violating sanctions.

The choice of venue is telling. Wonsan-Kalma represents North Korea's vision of modern tourism infrastructure. By visiting during Lunar New Year, China acknowledges this development while testing international reaction to deeper tourism engagement.

For North Korea, Chinese tourists represent the holy grail of tourism revenue. Geographic proximity, cultural familiarity, and China's massive population make it the ideal source market. A single province in northeastern China contains more people than most countries that could potentially visit North Korea.