Kim Jong-un, chairperson of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, met Wang Huning, chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, who visited Pyongyang, and emphasized the strategic nature of the North Korea–China treaty. In particular, as this year marks the 65th anniversary of the friendship treaty, it appears they reaffirmed the will to strengthen bilateral relations under the North Korea–China friendship treaty.
According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 17th, the chairperson met the Chinese party and government delegation led by the chairperson the previous day. The chairperson expressed gratitude for President Xi Jinping's "well wishes and comradely greetings" conveyed by the chairperson, and asked that "greetings" be relayed to Xi as well.
The chairperson said, "Dispatching a high-level party and government delegation to Korea (North Korea) is an expression of a firm will to value China–North Korea relations and to steadily implement the issues agreed at the Pyongyang summit (summit talks)."
The chairperson stressed that "(the North Korea–China friendship treaty) is an inter-state treaty that defines the strategic character of bilateral relations and provides strategic direction," adding, "It plays an important role in safeguarding the fundamental interests of both China and North Korea and ensuring peace and security in the region and the world." The chairperson added, "We will continue to unwaveringly support the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era led by General Secretary Xi Jinping."
In response, the chairperson conveyed thanks for North Korea's hospitality toward the delegation and said, "We will enhance political mutual trust and bilateral solidarity and expand cooperation and coordination."
China's state-run Xinhua News Agency also reported the overall schedule of the visit to North Korea, including the chairperson's meeting with the chairperson. This was a different move from the previous day, when it had only reported the delegation's attendance at the banquet marking the 65th anniversary of the signing of the North Korea–China friendship treaty.
According to Xinhua, the chairperson congratulated the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and said, "North Korea will adhere to the principle of making the development of North Korea–China relations the most important strategic task." In particular, it was reported that the chairperson said, "Xi's historic visit to North Korea has made China–North Korea relations a model and milestone for relations between socialist countries."
The chairperson also said, "We will strengthen high-level exchanges with China and deepen exchanges of experience related to party building to enhance political and strategic mutual trust, while expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, science and technology, health, and culture so that benefits go to the peoples of both countries."
Meanwhile, North Korean media reported that the delegation carried out various schedules in addition to the chairperson's meeting. On the second day of the visit, the delegation paid respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the remains of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are enshrined. After paying respects, the chairperson wrote in the guestbook, "China–North Korea friendship will be passed down through generations."
At the banquet held at the Yanggakdo International Hotel to mark the 65th anniversary of the treaty's signing, Premier Pak Thae-song said in a speech that "the Chinese delegation's visit to North Korea is a meaningful occasion that demonstrates the treaty's strategic character and the vitality of China–North Korea friendship." He added, "We will actively propel the new blossoming and development of common prosperity and friendship between the two countries, oppose hegemonism, and firmly join hands with our Chinese comrades on the journey to victoriously advance the socialist cause."
In response, the chairperson said, "The peoples of the two countries have shared life and death and joys and sorrows, forging a great fighting righteousness with blood in the struggle to achieve national independence and the liberation of the country," and noted, "The Chinese government's firm position on the friendly relations between the two countries will not change."