Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and work together to safeguard regional and global peace following Xi’s first visit to Pyongyang in seven years.
In a message of thanks published by North Korea’s state media KCNA on Wednesday, Xi said the two leaders had reached an “important consensus” on a range of issues and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation.
‘Important Consensus’ Reached
Xi said the two sides had exchanged in-depth views on issues of mutual concern and reached a series of important agreements that reflected their shared determination to advance China-North Korea relations.
Looking ahead, Xi said he was willing to work closely with Kim based on the long-term interests of both countries to steadily strengthen and develop bilateral ties.
He added that the visit had successfully concluded and marked the beginning of a “new historical stage” in relations between Beijing and Pyongyang.
Expanding Cooperation
According to Chinese and North Korean state media, the leaders agreed to broaden cooperation across politics, trade, the economy and culture.
Chinese state news agency Xinhua said practical cooperation would remain a key driver of the relationship, highlighting potential collaboration in agriculture, technology and infrastructure development.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen strategic communication through regular high-level exchanges between government officials.
Border Reopening Creates New Opportunities
Chinese media noted that both sides should make full use of the reopening of border crossings and the resumption of international passenger trains and civil aviation services between the two countries.
Cross-border exchanges had been largely frozen during the COVID-19 pandemic, making the restoration of transport links an important step in rebuilding economic and people-to-people ties.
Symbolism And Shared History
During the visit, Xi and Kim paid tribute at Pyongyang’s Sino-Korean Friendship Tower, a monument commemorating Chinese soldiers who died during the Korean War.
The two leaders also toured a political training school for party cadres, underscoring the ideological and historical links that continue to underpin relations between the two neighbouring communist states.
Xi’s visit, his first to North Korea since 2019, comes at a time of growing geopolitical competition in East Asia and signals Beijing’s continued commitment to maintaining close ties with one of its most important strategic partners.
(with inputs from Reuters)
