The Chinese Embassy in North Korea hosted a banquet in Pyongyang to commemorate the International Day of Civilizational Dialogue. This event underscores the strengthening ties between North Korea and China, following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Pyongyang, and reflects the ongoing friendly atmosphere between the two nations.
On Thursday, the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party, reported that the Chinese Embassy had organized the banquet the previous day to mark the International Day of Civilizational Dialogue. This observance was established by the 78th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2024 at the request of 83 countries, including China, with the aim of fostering understanding among diverse civilizations.
The event was attended by Kim Sun-kyung, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, officials from relevant sectors, and members of the diplomatic corps stationed in North Korea. The newspaper also noted the presence of Wang Yajun, the Chinese Ambassador to North Korea, along with embassy staff and visiting Chinese guests.
During the event, speeches were delivered that emphasized the significance of bilateral relations and the importance of intercultural exchange.
This gathering took place against the backdrop of rapidly improving North Korea-China relations. President Xi’s visit to Pyongyang on June 8-9 included a summit with Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party. During their meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including politics, economics, culture, diplomacy, law enforcement, and military affairs.
As both countries celebrate the 65th anniversary of the North Korea-China Friendship Cooperation and Mutual Assistance Treaty this year, they are reaffirming their traditional friendship. The two nations are also actively engaging in cultural, sports, and youth exchanges. Recent developments have seen an expansion of these exchanges, with visits from Chinese artistic groups and sports figures, as well as increased interaction between local and social organizations, further broadening the scope of cooperation between North Korea and China.