Kim Jong-un Xi Jinping New Year Message 2026: A Restrained Diplomacy
Pyongyang keeps it brief. On Jan 18, 2026, KCNA reported Kim Jong-un's New Year message to Xi Jinping without details, contrasting sharply with its detailed Russian coverage.
They're shaking hands, but their eyes are searching elsewhere. North Korea's state media offered a surprisingly brief account of the New Year's greetings exchanged with China, signaling a stark contrast to its blossoming romance with Moscow.
The Kim Jong-un Xi Jinping New Year Message 2026 Mystery
On January 18, 2026, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that leader Kim Jong-un sent a message to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Curiously, the agency didn't release any details of the exchange. While Kim sent greetings to leaders in Vietnam and Singapore as well, the coverage regarding Xi was notably formal and lacked the usual celebratory flair.
A Sharp Turn Toward Russia
This restrained approach stands in sharp contrast to Pyongyang's recent portrayal of its relationship with Russia. In December 2025, KCNA published exhaustive accounts of letters between Kim and Vladimir Putin. In those letters, Putin praised the 'heroic' deployment of North Korean troops in the war in Ukraine. The shift suggests that while Beijing remains a vital partner, Moscow has become the primary strategic ally.
Relations with Russia are a precious common asset.
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