Overview

• Kim Jong Un arrived in Beijing by armored train and was received at the station by senior Chinese officials Cai Qi and Wang Yi, according to North Korea’s KCNA.
• Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin met bilaterally in Beijing, praised their ties as at an unprecedented level, and echoed critiques of Western policies at the SCO meetings in Tianjin.
• China plans a large military parade on Wednesday marking 80 years since the end of World War II in Asia, with more than 20 world leaders expected and heavy security across the capital.
• South Korea’s intelligence service said Kim appeared to be traveling with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, a detail not confirmed by Chinese or North Korean authorities.
• Analysts say the highly public convergence signals closer strategic alignment among China, Russia, and North Korea, with scrutiny on possible deeper defense and economic coordination.