Weekday North Korean Ambassador: "We Must Closely Unite with China Against Hostile Forces' Challenges"

On May 27, in Beijing, Ri Ryong-nam, North Korean Ambassador to China (left), and Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The North Korean ambassador to China and the Chinese ambassador to North Korea jointly published opinion pieces urging solidarity between the two countries on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea.

Ri Ryong-nam, North Korea's ambassador to China, stated in an article published on the 21st in the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, the People's Daily, that "If North Korea and China closely unite and continuously strengthen and develop their strategic cooperative relationship, they can crush the vicious challenges and disruptive conspiracies of hostile forces."

This appears to emphasize the necessity of unity between North Korea and China in the face of pressure from the United States and Western countries.

Ambassador Ri also said, "The friendly relations between North Korea and China have deeply developed in political, economic, military, and cultural fields and have made great contributions to safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

Mentioning peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is interpreted as emphasizing China's role in the Korean Peninsula issue.

Ambassador Ri further stated, "The bilateral relationship is not simply formed by the geographical condition of sharing a border but is a true comradely strategic friendship forged in the flames of arduous revolutionary struggle."

He added, "No matter how much time passes, the friendship and united bonds between the peoples of the two countries can never fade or change."

Ambassador Ri also expressed support for China's position regarding human rights issues criticized by Western countries.

He said, "North Korea fully supports the measures China takes to safeguard its core interests and protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity in issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet," and "will always stand together with Chinese comrades in the future."

He congratulated China on its success in the fight against COVID-19, the establishment of a Xiaokang (a moderately prosperous society), and victory in poverty eradication.

On the same day, Li Jinjun, the Chinese ambassador to North Korea, also echoed the North Korean ambassador's position in an article published in the Workers' Newspaper, the official newspaper of the North Korean Workers' Party, emphasizing communication for regional peace.

Ambassador Li said, "Both China and North Korea have overcome hardships together and understand well the preciousness of peace," and declared that they will "jointly safeguard peace and pioneer the future together" with North Korea.

He added, "We will strengthen communication and coordination with North Korea and relevant parties to discuss issues for realizing long-term regional stability and actively contribute to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity."