Kim tells Xi that North Korea will support China’s interests
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shaking hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Sept 4.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Chinese President Xi Jinping that North Korea will continue to support China in protecting the country’s sovereignty, territory and development interests, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Sept 5.
“No matter how the international situation changes, the feeling of friendship cannot change” between North Korea and China, Mr Kim told Mr Xi during bilateral talks in Beijing on Sept 4, KCNA reported.
Mr Xi told Mr Kim that China and North Korea are “good neighbours, good friends and good comrades” who share one destiny, according to KCNA.
The leaders discussed strengthening strategic cooperation and protecting common interests in international and regional issues, and conducting more visits among high-ranking officials between the two countries as well as strategic communication, KCNA said.
KCNA confirmed that Mr Kim left Beijing on Sept 4 to return to North Korea. Senior Chinese officials, including top-ranked Communist Party official Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, saw Mr Kim off, KCNA added.
Mr Kim’s visit to China “marked a historic occasion, which further strengthened the political trust and strategic cooperation between... the two countries”, KCNA reported.
It was evidence of “the invariability and invincibility of the DPRK-China friendly relations that... overcame all sorts of trials and challenges”, KCNA said, using the initials of North Korea’s official name.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Mr Kim a congratulatory message for North Korea’s foundation day on Sept 4, KCNA added.
“Your combat force’s heroic involvement in liberating the Kursk territories from the invaders is a distinct symbol of friendship and mutual aid between Russia and North Korea”, Mr Putin’s message read, according to KCNA.
“I am confident that we will continue to work together to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries,” he said.
North Korea has sent soldiers, artillery ammunition and missiles to Russia to support Moscow in its war against Ukraine.
During a meeting in Beijing on Sept 3, Mr Kim told Mr Putin that his country would “fully support” Russia’s army as a “fraternal duty”, KCNA previously reported. REUTERS
