North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has crossed into China ahead of a major military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, state media reported on Tuesday.

Kim is among 26 world leaders scheduled to attend Wednesday’s event in Beijing, where he will be joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It will be the first time the three leaders share the same stage at an international ceremony.

According to North Korea’s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Kim’s armoured train crossed the border in the early hours of Tuesday. He is accompanied by senior officials from the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and government representatives.

Timing of the visit

Kim’s arrival comes shortly after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where Xi and Putin reiterated their criticism of Western dominance in global affairs.

North Korea, one of the world’s most isolated states, has relied heavily on both China and Russia for political and economic support. In recent years, Pyongyang has drawn even closer to Moscow, sending thousands of troops to assist Russia in its war in Ukraine.

Since taking power in 2011, Kim has met Xi five times, most recently in 2019 during celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of China-North Korea relations. He has met Putin three times, with their latest meeting in June 2024 culminating in a mutual defence treaty signed in Pyongyang.

Wednesday’s parade in Beijing is expected to showcase China’s military strength and underscore the growing strategic alignment between Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang. Analysts say Kim’s presence further signals a united front against Western pressure, especially amid rising global tensions.