North Korea: "Firm Will to Develop North Korea-China Relations"
China: "The Two Countries Are Good Neighbors Sharing a Common Destiny... Safeguarding Common Interests"
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un, who is visiting China, held a bilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 4th (local time) and agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo by Xinhua News Agency
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, Chairman Kim and President Xi met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that afternoon and emphasized that the friendly relationship between the two countries remains unchanged. President Xi stated, "The Chinese Communist Party and government highly value the traditional friendship between China and North Korea, and wish to maintain, solidify, and develop our bilateral relations," adding, "No matter how the international situation changes, this position will not change." In response, Chairman Kim said, "Regardless of changes in the international situation, the friendship between North Korea and China will not change, and it is North Korea's unwavering will to continuously deepen and develop the relationship between the two countries."
Meeting for the first time in over six years since their two summits in January 2019 (Kim's visit to China) and June 2019 (Xi's visit to Pyongyang), Chairman Kim and President Xi agreed that North Korea and China are a community of shared destiny and should jointly safeguard their common interests. Chairman Kim said, "I highly appreciate China's fair stance on the Korean Peninsula issue," and added, "I hope that both sides will continue to strengthen coordination on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations to safeguard our common and fundamental interests regarding the Korean Peninsula issue."
President Xi also remarked, "North Korea and China share a common destiny and are good neighbors and comrades who look out for each other," adding, "China has consistently maintained an objective and fair stance on the Korean Peninsula issue and will continue to strengthen coordination with North Korea to safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula." He continued, "In the face of unprecedented global challenges, I have proposed the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as global development, security, civilization, and governance initiatives, which North Korea has actively supported and responded to." He emphasized, "North Korea and China will strengthen strategic cooperation on international and regional issues and safeguard our common interests."
President Xi also commented on Chairman Kim's attendance at the 80th anniversary Victory Day military parade in China, marking his fifth visit to China in six years and eight months, saying, "North Korea's participation demonstrates its firm resolve to uphold the achievements of victory in World War II," and "This has also served as an important opportunity to further develop the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two parties and the two countries." In response, Chairman Kim stated, "North Korea firmly supports China's position on key interests such as Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang, and will support China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Additionally, North Korea expressed its hope for economic cooperation with China. Chairman Kim emphasized, "Under the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi and the guidance of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, China has achieved great development," and added, "I hope North Korea and China will maintain close exchanges at all levels, share experiences in party building and economic development, and help advance the development of the Workers' Party of Korea and the country's construction." He further stated, "I hope the two countries will deepen mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation and achieve even greater results."
The summary of the summit released by China that day did not include any mention of "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." In previous North Korea-China summits during Chairman Kim's first to fourth visits to China, there were statements expressing Kim's commitment to denuclearization and President Xi's support for it, but such content was omitted this time.
China Central Television (CCTV), the state broadcaster, immediately released video footage of the opening remarks of the summit between the two leaders. President Xi said, "I am very pleased to meet Chairman Kim again after six years," and recalled, "When I made a state visit to North Korea in June 2019, I could feel the family-like atmosphere of North Korea and China wherever I went." Nodding in agreement, Chairman Kim said, "Visiting China again after six years, I deeply feel how remarkably China has transformed and developed," and added, "I am reminded that, no matter how the world changes, the friendship between North Korea and China remains unchanged."
That afternoon, President Xi and Chairman Kim held a small tea reception and banquet. Cai Qi, the fifth-ranking member of the Communist Party of China and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission (also serving as Foreign Minister), were also present.
Given the real-time coverage by Chinese state media, it is estimated that the meeting between the two leaders lasted less than two hours. Afterward, Chairman Kim appeared to have concluded his fifth visit to China. At around 10:05 p.m. that day, Chairman Kim's special train departed from Beijing Station.
This visit by Chairman Kim to China took place after six years and eight months. His previous four visits occurred during the first term of the Donald Trump administration in March, May, and June 2018, and January 2019, respectively.
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