Chinese President Xi Jinping, who visited North Korea for the first time in about seven years, held a summit with North Korean State Affairs Chairperson Kim Jong-un. The leaders' meeting comes nine months after last year's military parade marking China's Victory Day. Xi and Kim reiterated North Korea-China friendship during the talks and affirmed their intent to expand strategic coordination.
The People's Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, reported at about 6 p.m. on the 8th (Korea time) that Xi and Kim held a summit at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse in Pyongyang. They appear to have discussed improving North Korea-China relations, expanding economic cooperation, an anti-hegemony alignment, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi said in his opening remarks, "No matter how the international situation changes, we will unwaveringly maintain our position of attaching great importance to North Korea-China friendship," and "We will firmly maintain our strong resolve to safeguard the common interests of both sides and a favorable strategic environment."
He then proposed four approaches to developing North Korea-China relations: ▲ strengthening political mutual trust through high-level exchanges ▲ expanding practical cooperation focused on the economy and people's livelihoods ▲ carrying forward traditional friendship and revitalizing people-to-people exchanges ▲ strengthening strategic coordination to safeguard sovereignty and security and maintain regional peace.
Kim said, "Xi's choice of Pyongyang as the first overseas destination this year shows the high importance and friendly affection for North Korea-China relations, which is a great encouragement to North Korea," adding, "This visit once again shows how solid North Korea-China relations are, having walked the path of independence and justice through long trials."
He continued, "North Korea's institutional sectors, together with the Chinese side, will fully implement Xi's proposals and expand cooperation across a wide range of fields, including the economy and trade, infrastructure, science and technology, education, and cultural exchanges," adding, "Going forward, we will continue to treat the development of North Korea-China relations as the nation's most important No. 1 strategic task and do our utmost to develop it into a model for relations between states."
Earlier, Xi arrived at Pyongyang Sunan Airport around noon that day. According to video released by state media, a red carpet had been laid out at the airport even before Air China's state jet carrying Xi arrived, and large North Korean flags and China's Five-star Red Flags were set up on the terminal building. Welcome slogans such as "Warmly welcome Comrade Xi Jinping" and "Long live the invincible friendship and unity between the peoples of the two countries, North Korea and China" were also displayed.
Chairperson Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, personally came to the airport to greet Xi. After Xi disembarked, the two leaders shook hands and exchanged greetings, then moved straight to Kim Il Sung Square, where a welcome ceremony was held. At Kim Il Sung Square, large portraits of Kim and Xi and slogans emphasizing friendship between the two countries were displayed.
North Korea's cavalry, honor guard, and military band were mobilized in full for the welcome event, and welcoming groups, including children, waved flags, balloons, and flowers and chanted welcome slogans. The honor guard even shouted to Xi, "We wish you good health." Xi then moved to the Kumsusan State Guesthouse, a representative state guest residence.
After the summit, the two leaders are to hold a banquet and watch a performance at Mokran Hall, the state banquet venue. On the 9th, the next day, they are expected to pay respects at the North Korea-China Friendship Tower, a symbol of North Korea-China friendship, and have a luncheon.