Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, emphasized the unwavering and steadfast friendship between North Korea and China during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the eve of China’s 80th anniversary of Victory Day, as reported by the party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, on Friday.
The newspaper detailed that Kim met with Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China, at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday afternoon. The two leaders exchanged warm greetings and posed for commemorative photos against a backdrop of North Korean and Chinese flags.
Kim expressed his gratitude for China’s exceptional hospitality and congratulated them on Victory Day, noting that China had clearly demonstrated its significant international status and influence. He reaffirmed North Korea’s steadfast support for the Chinese Communist Party and the government’s efforts to protect national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and developmental interests.
In turn, Xi praised the advancement of North Korea–China relations facilitated by Kim’s visit. He described the two nations as excellent neighbors, friends, and comrades sharing a common destiny and supporting each other, asserting that this relationship would remain constant regardless of shifts in the international landscape.
Kim responded by affirming that the friendship between North Korea and China would endure, regardless of global changes. He stated that the continuous deepening and development of North Korea–China relations reflected the unwavering commitment of the Workers’ Party and the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Kim also pledged ongoing support for China’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and developmental interests.
The leaders discussed strengthening high-level exchanges and strategic communication between their countries. They also addressed their respective independent foreign policy positions and emphasized the need for enhanced strategic cooperation on international and regional issues to protect their shared interests.
Notably, the newspaper omitted any mention of discussions about the Korean Peninsula, which Chinese state media had reported. According to those sources, Kim had expressed North Korea’s appreciation for China’s balanced stance on Korean Peninsula issues and a desire to strengthen coordination in multilateral forums, such as the United Nations, to protect their mutual interests.
Kim also attended a banquet hosted by Xi during his visit.
The newspaper reported that Kim concluded his five-day visit to China, departing Beijing by private train. He was expected to arrive in Pyongyang later that afternoon.
The article noted that Kim’s train left Beijing Station amid farewells from Chinese officials, emphasizing that the visit had further strengthened political trust and strategic cooperation between North Korea and China.
Kim’s visit to China, which began on Monday and ended on the afternoon of Thursday, was the longest on record, lasting five days.
