China and North Korea reaffirm close ties amid armistice anniversary
- Kim Jong-un promises to elevate relations with Beijing while Xi Jinping offers firm commitment to its neighbour
- Chinese delegation led by Politburo member Li Hongzhong is in Pyongyang to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of hostilities in the Korean war
In the meeting on Friday, the two parties reaffirmed their stand on “the complicated international situation”, promising to “steadily develop their friendship and camaraderie cooperation to a new high stage”, the North’s KCNA news agency quoted Kim as saying.
Earlier, the Chinese delegation, led by Politburo member and National People’s Congress vice-chairman Li Hongzhong, delivered a letter to Kim from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In it, Xi said China was firmly committed to strong ties with North Korea.
“No matter how the international storm changes, safeguarding, consolidating and developing relations between China and North Korea will always be a firm policy direction of the Chinese Communist Party and the government,” Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.
The reception for the Chinese delegation was attended by prominent figures from the North Korean regime, including Kim’s sister Kim Yo-jong, according to the KCNA report.
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