China strengthens alliance with North Korea in the “socialist cause”

“The Chinese Party and government will not change their firm stance of attaching great importance to traditional friendship with North Korea, their firm support for Kim Jong-un’s leadership of the North Korean socialist cause, nor their firm determination to safeguard the common interests of both sides and a favorable strategic environment,” Xi said in statements carried by the Chinese agency.

During the meeting, China presented four proposals for improving bilateral relations, starting with maintaining high-level exchanges and strengthening contacts in diplomacy, public security and military affairs, aiming to obtain “wisdom and strength” to improve ties.

Xi also advocated strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, construction, science and technology and health, and called for taking advantage of the complete reopening of borders and the recent resumption of civil flights and international passenger trains connecting the two countries.

Another point discussed was the strengthening of interpersonal ties through cooperation in education, culture, sports and other areas. As a fourth point, Xi advocated enhancing strategic coordination under the principle of “equity and justice”, through which Beijing seeks to promote “fairer and more equitable” international governance.

Xi’s trip was his first to Pyongyang since 2019 and comes after he received US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator,
Vladimir Putin, in Beijing.