North Korean, Chinese foreign ministers meet in Beijing
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North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui departing for China from Pyongyang in this photo released on Sept 28.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL - North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui met China’s top diplomat Wang Yi in Beijing on Sept 28 during her second visit to the Chinese capital in just one month, both countries’ official news agencies reported.
Mr Wang told Ms Choe that “China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in international and regional affairs”, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a statement, using the diplomatically isolated state’s full name.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seeking a return to the world stage, analysts say. The reclusive leader travelled with Ms Choe to Beijing in early September to attend a massive military parade that offered an unprecedented opportunity to stand beside Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and to gain implicit support for his banned nuclear weapons.
Ms Choe delivered a message from Mr Kim that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is unchanging and should develop to meet the demands of the times, reported North Korea’s official news agency KCNA.
Ms Choe said Mr Xi and Mr Kim, at their latest summit on the sidelines of the parade, set up a basic direction and principle for the bilateral relationship that meets the needs of changing international affairs, according to KCNA.
Mr Wang told Ms Choe that the two Communist Party-led countries should step up exchanges on governance, and briefed her on the world’s second-largest economy’s domestic situation, said the read-out from Mr Wang’s ministry.
While in Beijing, Mr Kim told Mr Xi that Pyongyang would keep supporting China in protecting its ally’s sovereignty, according to KCNA.
The meeting between the two foreign ministers came as Mr Xi is expected to visit South Korea to attend the Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit from Oct 31 to Nov 1 in Gyeongju.
South Korea also believes that US President Donald Trump is likely to visit the country for the Apec event, although Washington has not officially confirmed his attendance. REUTERS
