China’s vice president will visit North Korea this week for Korean war commemorations following a period of strained relations between the communist neighbours.
Vice President Li Yuanchao will be the highest ranking Chinese official to visit North Korea since Kim Jong-un took over as leader of the impoverished hardline communist state upon his father’s death in December 2011.
The trip lasting from Thursday through to Sunday affirms a warming trend in relations between a deeply isolated Pyongyang and its only real ally and key source of economic assistance.
The statement posted on Wednesday on the Foreign Ministry’s website said Li will visit for 60th anniversary commemorations of the end of the 1950-53 Korean war, in which China fought on the North’s side against UN forces led by the United States.
Beijing had been deeply offended by Pyongyang’s actions following Kim’s ascension, including conducting rocket launches, a nuclear test and other saber-rattling – spiking tensions with South Korea and the US
Beijing considered the moves an affront to its interests in regional stability and showed its displeasure by joining with the US to back UN sanctions and cut off dealings with North Korea’s Foreign Trade Bank.
