Kim Jong-un made a brief visit to China, where he was received by Wang Huning, a member of China’s top political leadership. Together they laid a wreath at a monument commemorating resistance against the United States and Chinese assistance during the Korean War. Kim also visited a car factory in the border city of Dandong and then returned home. He was reported to have entered China by road via the recently opened Yalu River bridge, rather than by his usual armored train.

The visit was presented as another sign of improving ties between China and North Korea. Contacts, trade links and transport connections between the countries have increased after years of limited interaction. The rapprochement comes as North Korea is also expanding cooperation with Russia. The visit was said to make a possible meeting between Kim and US President Donald Trump less likely, although Trump had repeatedly raised the prospect of talks and an upcoming APEC forum in China had been considered a possible opportunity.