During his visit to North Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un on Monday. Kim Jong Un stated that Xi Jinping’s visit is once again proof that the two countries have always stood on the side of independence and historical justice. He remarked that the long-tested friendship between the DPRK and China, no matter how international trends change, is an important opportunity demonstrating its indestructible strength.
Xi Jinping began his two-day state visit to North Korea on Monday, marking his first visit to the DPRK in seven years and his first overseas trip this year. The last meeting between Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un was in September last year, when Kim visited Beijing to attend the "September 3rd Military Parade."
According to KCNA, during the talks with Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un said that Xi’s choice of Pyongyang for his first overseas trip of the year demonstrates the highest regard for DPRK-China friendship. He further stated that Xi’s visit is again proof that the two countries have always stood on the side of independence and historical justice, and that the long-tested friendship between DPRK and China in the face of changing global situations presents an important opportunity to show how unbreakable it truly is.
Kim Jong Un said that the uniqueness of the relationship between the two countries lies not only in their deep traditional friendship, but also in their shared socialist cause that is inherited from generation to generation. He also said that the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government will, as always, persist in prioritizing the friendship between the DPRK and China as the foremost strategic undertaking.
Kim Jong Un also said that no matter how circumstances change, the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government will, in keeping with the one-China principle, firmly support and stand alongside the Chinese party and government in safeguarding their core interests and position.
KCNA reported that members of the Chinese delegation attending the talks included Politburo Standing Committee member and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee Cai Qi; Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi; Director of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee Liu Haixing; Director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee Tang Fangyu; Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun; Director of the National Development and Reform Commission Zheng Shanjie; Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao; and Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wang Yajun, among others.