China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said North Korea has made “remarkable accomplishments” despite what he described as conspiracies by the United States and Western forces to isolate and suppress Pyongyang, according to North Korea’s state news agency KCNA on Friday.

Wang made the remarks during a visit to Pyongyang, where he held talks with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui, who later hosted a banquet in his honour.

“New achievements in socialist construction made by (North) Korea amid intensifying conspiracies of isolation and oppression of the U.S. and Western forces are the fruit of … the wise leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Un,” Wang was quoted as saying.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Wang and Choe also praised their respective leaders for ushering in a new phase of bilateral ties following a summit in September, describing it as a milestone in advancing relations between the two countries.

Both sides pledged to further strengthen co-operation in line with the interests of their people, KCNA reported.

They also agreed that deepening ties remains a consistent policy priority despite growing uncertainty in the global environment.

Strategic Context

China and North Korea have been seeking to revitalise political and economic engagement that slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, Pyongyang has moved to strengthen strategic relations with Russia since 2023.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to host U.S. President Donald Trump next month. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in resuming talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

(with inputs from Reuters)