On the 8th, the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea's Workers' Party, ran a welcoming editorial for Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea and stressed the solidity of North Korea–China ties. Xi also said in a contribution to the Rodong Sinmun that he would inject "powerful momentum" into advancing the relationship.
The Rodong Sinmun carried an editorial on the front page titled "We warmly welcome the envoy of friendship of the Chinese people." Xi will pay a state visit to North Korea from today through the 9th. This is Xi's first visit to North Korea in seven years since 2019.
In the editorial, the Rodong Sinmun said, "The streets of Pyongyang, which will receive Comrade Xi Jinping as the highest-level state guest, are engulfed in an atmosphere of friendship," adding, "Our people warmly welcome Comrade Xi Jinping, who is visiting again with the warm feelings of friendship of the fraternal Chinese people." "Xi Jinping" is the North Korean-style rendering of President Xi's name.
The paper described North Korea–China relations as "an invincible friendship forged with comradely solidarity and blood ties through the protracted struggle to oppose foreign invaders and build socialism." It also claimed that communication and friendship between the two countries have been strengthened under the strategic leadership of Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong-un and Xi.
The Rodong Sinmun also highlighted that the 65th anniversary of the signing of the North Korea–China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance falls on the 11th of next month. The paper said, "In this meaningful year, it is the aspiration of the peoples of the two countries to further energize the development of the traditional North Korea–China friendship in various fields in line with the demands of the new era."
Citing the international situation, the paper also emphasized the need for North Korea–China cooperation. The Rodong Sinmun said, "The current highly chaotic and complex international political situation necessarily requires the peoples of the two countries to strengthen militant unity and mutual support and cooperation."
It also included language that reads as support for sovereignty issues that China is sensitive about, such as the Taiwan issue. The Rodong Sinmun said it hopes the Chinese people will rally around the Communist Party of China with Xi at its core and "firmly safeguard national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and development interests."
Xi also said in his contribution to the Rodong Sinmun that he would strengthen high-level exchanges between the two countries. "We should inherit the fine tradition of frequent high-level exchanges between the two parties and the two countries and visit each other often like relatives," Xi said, adding, "We will inject powerful momentum into the development of China–North Korea relations." "China–North Korea" is the Chinese expression for North Korea–China relations.
Xi also said he would strengthen strategic coordination with North Korea on the international stage, saying, "We oppose hegemonism and power politics." Observers see this as the two sides highlighting an anti-U.S., anti-Western solidarity message amid continued U.S.–China strategic rivalry, the war in Ukraine, and instability in the Middle East.