Chinese President Xi Jinping urged closer strategic coordination with North Korea during talks with leader Kim Jong Un in Beijing on Thursday, their first face-to-face meeting since 2019.
The meeting came a day after Xi hosted a massive military parade in the Chinese capital, attended by both Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It marked the first time the three leaders have appeared together publicly and Kim’s debut at a major multilateral event.
Calling China and North Korea “good neighbours, good friends and good comrades that share a common destiny,” Xi said the two countries should step up coordination on regional and global affairs to safeguard common interests, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. He also pledged to maintain high-level exchanges, enhance mutual trust, and expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
On the Korean Peninsula, Xi said Beijing was ready to strengthen coordination with Pyongyang to maintain peace and stability. Kim, in turn, congratulated Xi on what he called a “successful and grand” parade that “strongly demonstrated today’s great international status of China,” adding, “China’s celebration is our celebration.”
Kim, who arrived Tuesday on his trademark green armoured train accompanied by his teenage daughter and senior officials including his sister Kim Yo Jong, was seen leaving the Great Hall of the People after the talks. His delegation departed Beijing late Thursday night.
China is North Korea’s treaty ally and largest trading partner, with ties dating back to Beijing’s intervention in the Korean War. But in recent years, as Kim has forged closer military ties with Putin, Beijing has kept a cautious distance. On Wednesday, Kim pledged “full support” for Russia’s military during a meeting with Putin in Beijing.
Despite Pyongyang’s deepening alignment with Moscow, Xi stressed that China’s commitment to its relationship with North Korea would remain unchanged “no matter how the international situation evolves.”
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
