Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first visit to Pyongyang this year to strengthen ties with North Korea, a reclusive, nuclear-armed nation. This visit, Xi's first in seven years, occurs as North Korea deepens its relationship with Russia. China's relationship with North Korea dates back to the Korean War, solidified by a 1961 mutual defense treaty. Despite historical opposition to Pyongyang's nuclear program, Beijing has worked to repair ties since 2018. North Korea relies on China for approximately 95% of its trade, receiving essential goods and international legitimacy, with China acting as its security guarantor. Beijing needs North Korea as a strategic buffer to maintain stability, prevent regime collapse and refugee influx, and counter the presence of US troops in South Korea. Xi's visit also serves to reassert China's influence amidst North Korea's growing ties with Russia and potential diplomatic shifts in the region.