China held an event in Pyongyang to commemorate the founding of the Chinese military. This marks the first time in about six years that such an event has been held in North Korea, interpreted as a signal for restoring relations between the two countries. The North Korean Labor Party's official newspaper, which had stopped reporting on Armed Forces Day for the past two years, has reported on the event.
The Chinese embassy in North Korea announced on its official website that an event celebrating the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was held in Pyongyang on the morning of the 22nd. The embassy stated, "About 150 people attended, including major figures from North Korea's party, government, and military, representatives from various sectors, and members of the diplomatic corps in North Korea, while Military Attaché Wang Yisong and Deputy Director Park Young-il delivered speeches," adding that "(both sides) wished for continuous new achievements in the development and friendship of both countries."
According to the Chinese embassy, Military Attaché Wang Yisong said, "The Chinese People's Liberation Army, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee centered around Xi Jinping, is firmly walking the path of peaceful development and will cooperate with countries for the establishment of a community with a shared future for mankind and the realization of global security initiatives." He continued, "We will faithfully implement the important agreements reached by the top leaders of both countries, inherit and develop the friendship between our militaries, and contribute even more to strengthening China-North Korea relations and maintaining regional peace and stability."
Park Young-il, Deputy Director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, said, "The militaries of both countries are comrades who have fought together against imperialist invaders in numerous wars, and the friendship forged in the trenches is a shining example of unity between our nations," adding, "We will continue our cooperation to uphold the noble will of our top leaders and to safeguard friendly development and the socialist cause."
China commemorates August 1, 1927, as the founding day of the People's Liberation Army. In the past, North Korea has reported editorials or news celebrating China's founding day around this time, but there have been no related reports in 2023-2024. However, after six years, an event was held at the Chinese embassy in North Korea, and the Labor Party's official newspaper reported on the event on that day.