North Korea is set to mark the 80th anniversary of its ruling Workers’ Party on Friday, with high-profile delegations from China, Russia, Vietnam, and Laos joining the celebrations in Pyongyang.

The event highlights Pyongyang’s growing alignment with key allies Beijing and Moscow amid its deepening isolation from the West. Both China and Russia have sent senior officials to the commemorations, underscoring their support for Kim Jong Un’s regime.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, one of the seven members of the Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee and China’s No. 2 leader after President Xi Jinping, arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency. His visit marks the highest-level Chinese trip to North Korea since 2019.

Russia has dispatched Dmitry Medvedev, former president and current deputy head of the Security Council, to attend the celebrations, North Korea’s KCNA reported. The move reflects deepening military and political cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, with North Korea accused of sending troops and ammunition to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, the country’s top leader, also arrived Thursday and was welcomed personally by Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. His visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of Vietnam–North Korea diplomatic relations.

Laos’ President Thongloun Sisoulith, who also serves as general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, is expected to attend as well, KCNA said earlier.

Although North Korea has not disclosed details of the celebration events, the high-level international attendance signals Pyongyang’s intent to showcase its strong ties with its remaining allies — particularly China and Russia.