After visiting China for the first time in over 6 years, Kim Jong Un, the Chairperson of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, left Beijing on the 4th, concluding a 2-night, 3-day schedule following a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Xi promised that no matter how international circumstances change, the friendly relationship would not change, and Kim described the friendship between the two countries as a "legacy to be passed down through generations."
According to the Chinese state-run China Central Television (CCTV) and Xinhua News Agency, around 8 p.m. (local time), Kim left the Great Hall of the People, where he held a summit with President Xi, and his dedicated train departed Beijing Station around 10 p.m.
The summit between North Korea and China is the first in about 6 years since President Xi visited Pyongyang in 2019. According to Xinhua, the meeting featured a small talk session followed by a banquet. The banquet typically includes dinner. The talks appear to have lasted around 2 hours.
Reports indicate that the summit was held in a friendly atmosphere. President Xi praised Kim's visit, stating that the two countries are "good neighbors and good friends who share destiny and protect each other, as well as good comrades." He continued, "China values the traditional friendship between our two countries and seeks to uphold, strengthen, and develop it. This position will not change, no matter how international circumstances change."
Chairperson Kim also responded, saying, "The deep friendship established by the leaders of our two countries during the anti-Japanese war is a legacy to be passed down through generations. No matter how international circumstances change, the friendly sentiments will not change." He added, "We will always support China on issues related to its core interests, such as Taiwan and Tibet, and I support China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. I appreciate the invaluable assistance in supporting the construction of socialist Korea without fail."
He then expressed, "We wish to strengthen exchanges at the party and state levels with China, sharing experiences in party building and economic development to help our domestic construction," and added, "I hope to achieve more results by deepening the mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation between our two countries."
Regarding peace on the Korean Peninsula, President Xi stated, "China will maintain a fair and objective stance on the Korean Peninsula issue and will continue to cooperate with Korea for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." Chairperson Kim noted that he "highly appreciates this" and mentioned, "We will strengthen cooperation on platforms for multilateral diplomacy, such as the United Nations (UN), to safeguard our common interests."