The Chinese government-party delegation arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met with a Chinese delegation, a day after celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, North Korean state media said Saturday (29/7/2023).
During the meeting on Friday (28/7/2023), the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing their bilateral relations, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
A Chinese government-party delegation arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday for celebrations commemorating the ceasefire to be held the following day. Led by Li Hongzhong, a Politburo member of the Chinese Communist Party, the delegation will be one of the first groups of foreigners to visit Pyongyang since North Korea imposed a border closure due to COVID-19 in early 2020, along with a Russian delegation.
Kim met with the Russian delegation on Wednesday (26/7/2023). On Friday, Kim thanked China for its assistance during the Korean War and said North Korea would always remember its great contribution during its “most difficult period,” according to KCNA.
Kim also voiced his appreciation to Chinese Leader Xi Jinping for sending delegations and personal letters, praising that China will achieve the “dream of great prosperity” under Xi’s leadership, the report added. However, the contents of the letter were not disclosed.
According to the Chinese Communist Party’s main newspaper, the People’s Daily, Xi wrote in the letter that China and North Korea shared a “blood-thinned friendship” during the Korean War.
In addition, Beijing will also strengthen and develop relations with Pyongyang “no matter how much the international situation changes.” The newspaper said the letter was delivered to Kim via Li.
KCNA said Pyongyang and Beijing reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation and their “strategic and tactical collaboration” to overcome the “complicated international situation” through the meeting.
Following the meeting, Kim also hosted a reception with the Chinese delegation, at which his powerful sisters, Yo-jong, and Li, addressed, according to the report.
Source : Republika
