'China's 3rd-ranked' Zhao Liji visits North Korea from 11th to 13th... "Deepening North Korea-China relations"

Highest-Level North Korea Visit by China Since COVID-19
Attendance at 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Opening Ceremony

Zhao Lezhi, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress

Zhao Leji, the third-ranking official in China's official hierarchy and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), will make an official visit to North Korea from the 11th to the 13th.

North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported on the 9th that a "People's Republic of China Party and Government Delegation" led by Chairman Zhao will make an official friendly visit to North Korea.

Chairman Zhao is expected to be the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit Pyongyang since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing that "At the invitation of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Chinese Party and government delegation led by Chairman Zhao will make an official friendly visit to Joseon (North Korea) from the 11th to the 13th," adding, "They will attend the opening ceremony of the China-North Korea Friendship Year."

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and North Korea, and Chairman Zhao is expected to attend related events.

Spokesperson Mao Ning explained, "China's acceptance of the invitation to send a high-level delegation for a friendly visit to Joseon and to attend the opening ceremony of the China-North Korea Friendship Year demonstrates the deep friendship between the two countries and China's high regard for China-North Korea relations," adding, "We believe that through joint efforts, this visit will be successfully completed and will lead to a further deepening and development of China-North Korea relations."