North Korea evaluated Kim Jong Un's attendance at the 80th anniversary military parade of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan and his schedule in China as a "historic occasion that demonstrated the unchanging nature and invincibility of the friendly relations between North Korea and China."
On the 5th, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the details of the summit between Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. According to the report, the two leaders discussed ways to enhance high-level exchanges and strategic communication, and cooperation on international and regional issues. During this process, both sides "mutually informed each other about their independent policy lines" and confirmed their will to safeguard common interests on the international stage.
During the meeting, Kim Jong Un emphasized, "No matter how the international situation changes, the friendship between North Korea and China cannot change," adding that "deepening and developing the North Korea-China relationship is the unwavering will of the party and government." He also stated, "I will fully support and assist the Chinese Communist Party and government in safeguarding national sovereignty and developmental interests."
In response, President Xi said, "China and North Korea are excellent neighbors and comrades sharing a common destiny," and expressed his willingness to highly value friendship between China and North Korea and to safeguard, consolidate, and develop it. He also added, "I support North Korea walking a development path suitable for its own realities and creating a new phase in the socialist cause."
North Korean officials who accompanied the summit included Jo Yong Won, the party secretary; Kim Duck Hoon, the Premier; and Choe Son Hui, the Foreign Minister, while the Chinese side was represented by Cai Qi, the Secretary of the Secretariat, and Wang Yi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Amid references to "high-level exchanges" by the two leaders, some speculate that a senior Chinese official may visit North Korea for the upcoming 80th anniversary event of the founding of the Labor Party on the 10th of next month. There are also cautious discussions about the possibility of President Xi visiting Pyongyang again.
Notably, the term "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" was omitted. During Kim Jong Un's four visits to China in 2018-2019, discussions in North Korea-China summits always included references to denuclearization, but this time it was not confirmed.
The report noted that the meeting was conducted in a warm and friendly atmosphere. President Xi held a banquet for Kim Jong Un, who began his return journey on the evening of the 4th by private train. At Beijing Station, senior Chinese officials, including Cai Qi and Wang Yi, came to see him off. Many students waving North Korean flags and the Chinese national flag were mobilized around the station to welcome Kim Jong Un.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, was only seen upon arrival in Beijing and was not publicly visible during the military parade, the summit, or the return schedule.
The Rodong Sinmun stated, "This visit to China is a historic occasion that further strengthens political trust and strategic cooperation between the two parties and two countries, and proves the unchanging nature and invincibility of the friendship between North Korea and China in the joint struggle for the victory of the socialist cause."