On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in North Korea and published an article in the North Korean ruling party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, expressing his intention to inject strong momentum into the development of North Korea-China relations.
In the article titled, Inheriting the Past and Pioneering the Future: Advancing Together Through Trials to Continue Engraving a New Chapter of Traditional China-North Korea Friendship, which appeared on the front page of Rodong Sinmun, President Xi stated that it (North Korea and China) must inherit the excellent tradition of high-level exchanges between the two parties and countries, visiting each other frequently like relatives.
He noted that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance between China and North Korea, and added that he is visiting beautiful Korea again after seven years.
He expressed hope to discuss traditional China-North Korea friendship with Kim Jong Un and to plan for the future development of bilateral relations, stating that the two countries are a friendly socialist federation that protects and supports each other, sharing a common destiny.
President Xi emphasized his personal connections with Kim, mentioning that in recent years, he has met with Kim six times and maintained close strategic communication, jointly crafting a blueprint for the development of China-North Korea relations.
He remarked that today, the China-North Korea relationship, at a new historical starting point, faces a new mission for development, adding that China will work with North Korea to elevate the relationship strategically, driving it to achieve greater development in line with the times.
Furthermore, he stated that this year, marking the 65th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, will inject strong momentum into the development of North Korea-China relations by enhancing exchanges between the parties, governments, and militaries.
President Xi also expressed his commitment to solidifying the anti-U.S. alliance with North Korea. He stated that it must oppose hegemonism and power politics, resist any attempts to revive militarism, and combat all ambitions and actions that threaten regional safety and stability, advocating for the joint promotion of a multipolar world with equitable and orderly economic globalization, and working together to build a community with a shared future for humanity. This reflects a desire to strengthen cooperation with North Korea in response to U.S. hegemony.
In 2019, a day before his visit to North Korea, President Xi published an article in Rodong Sinmun titled, Inheriting China-North Korea Friendship to Continue Engraving a New Chapter of the Times. At that time, it was quite rare for a top Chinese leader to express his position through a North Korean media outlet before a visit, generating significant attention.
On the same day, North Korea also welcomed President Xi’s visit with an editorial in Rodong Sinmun, titled, We Warmly Welcome the Envoy of Friendship from the Chinese People.
The newspaper stated that the streets of Pyongyang, welcoming Comrade Xi as the esteemed guest, are filled with a friendly atmosphere, and added that the people warmly welcome Comrade Xi, who is visiting us again, carrying the heartfelt friendship of the brotherly Chinese people.
It emphasized that in this meaningful year, developing traditional China-North Korea friendship more vigorously across various fields to meet the new demands of the times is the aspiration of the peoples of both countries.
The newspaper also added that the current chaotic and complex international political situation necessitates that the peoples of China and North Korea strengthen their combative unity and support, and continuously develop the relations, especially for the victorious advancement of the socialist cause.
This suggests that in light of the deepening strategic competition between the U.S. and China, as well as the prolonged conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the two countries must further enhance strategic cooperation.
President Xi will spend two days in North Korea starting on Monday, engaging in talks with Kim and discussing various bilateral issues.