'As close as lips and teeth': The highs and lows of China-North Korea ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on June 9, 2026, for a state visit, greeted by Kim Jong Un and his wife. It is Xi's first visit to North Korea since 2019. Both countries seek to reaffirm their relationship, described as 'as close as lips and teeth,' a bond that has survived famine, nuclear tensions, and global shifts. The article traces the history of this alliance since the Korean War.