In a highly symbolic and unprecedented diplomatic move, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Beijing with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to attend a massive military parade. The appearance of the young heir-apparent on the international stage alongside her father, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, has sent a powerful signal that the hermit kingdom is preparing for a dynastic succession while solidifying a new, anti-Western alliance.
Kim’s arrival on his signature armored train was met with high-level Chinese officials, including Cai Qi, a senior member of the Communist Party, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Kim is expected to stand on the podium at Tiananmen Square, marking his first-ever appearance at a major multilateral event and his first trip to China in more than six years.
But it is the presence of his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who is believed to be about 13 years old, that has drawn the most intense scrutiny. Her public profile has been steadily rising since late 2022, with North Korean state media now referring to her as the “most beloved” and “respected” child of the leader. Her presence in Beijing, a city that holds immense geopolitical importance, is a powerful sign that she is being groomed for a future leadership role and a clear message to the international community that the Kim dynasty is preparing to endure.
The military parade, which commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and China’s resistance against Japanese aggression, is a clear show of force by Beijing. Experts say the event is being used by the three leaders to project an image of unity against Western influence. The three leaders, all seen as major challengers to U.S. power, have never before gathered at the same venue.
“The gathering in Beijing is a clear challenge to President Trump’s claim to be fostering close working relationships with Xi, Putin and Kim,” said one political analyst. “Xi is bringing together the leaders of some of the most heavily sanctioned nations in the world to make a statement about a new, multipolar world order.”
While the three countries have not confirmed a formal trilateral meeting, the sheer optics of the event are a strong message to the international community. North Korea is using the event to showcase its diplomatic partnerships and break out of its isolation, while China and Russia are demonstrating their support for North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. The outcome of the event is likely to further strain relations between the U.S. and its allies, and it is a stark reminder of the shifting dynamics of power on the global stage.