China: "Problems in Relations with North Korea? Nonsense"... Denies Unusual Atmosphere Theory

"Traditional Friendly and Cooperative Relations Between North Korea and China Remain Unchanged"

The Chinese government officially denied the recent speculations about a rift in relations between North Korea and China.

Lin Zhen, Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Photo by Yonhap News

Lin Zhen, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a briefing on the 1st when asked about the current North Korea-China relationship, "This year marks the 71st anniversary of the Korean War armistice," adding, "71 years ago, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army fought alongside the North Korean people and military, achieving a great victory in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea and the North Korean Liberation War."

He continued, "In this process, North Korea and China forged a traditional friendship cemented in blood," emphasizing, "Despite major changes in the international situation, the Party and government's consistent position to value and develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relationship between North Korea and China remains unchanged."

Despite the Chinese government's denial, signs of a rift between North Korea and China have recently been detected in various places. It is reported that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un recently instructed diplomats stationed in China not to fear friction with China while carrying out their duties. Additionally, it has been confirmed that the commemorative footprints monument of Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping, installed in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, was removed.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong displeasure at such predictions by foreign and domestic media. Spokesperson Lin said, "Recently, some countries and media have been spreading baseless claims that there are problems in North Korea-China relations and suggesting that China and Russia are competing over relations with North Korea, which is a completely different agenda."

He added, "What I want to emphasize is that both North Korea and Russia are friendly neighboring countries of China," and "China is pleased that the development of North Korea-Russia relations plays a constructive role in regional peace and stability."

Earlier, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed condolences and sympathy to the victims and displaced persons in North Korea following large-scale flood damage in the Amnok River area along the North Korea-China border. After the briefing on the 31st of last month, spokesperson Lin expressed, "As traditional friendly neighboring countries, China extends condolences to the families of the victims and the displaced persons caused by the floods in North Pyongan Province and Jagang Province of North Korea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.