In an important initiative highlighting the steadily growing solidarity, cooperation and coordination among the socialist countries in Asia, a delegation of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), headed by Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Politburo and Director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee recently led a delegation to pay fraternal visits to China, Vietnam and Laos.
Leaving Pyongyang on March 21, Kim met the same day with Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
Wang said that that under the guidance of the top leaders of the two sides, China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have witnessed constant consolidation and development of their traditional friendship.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and is designated as the China-DPRK Friendship Year, Wang said China is willing to work with the DPRK to turn the important consensus reached by the top leaders into concrete actions advancing the friendship between the two sides, deepen collaboration, strengthen strategic communication, and jointly work for a peaceful and stable external environment.
Kim Song Nam referred to the fact that the DPRK-China relations have been steadily developing into genuine and solid comradely relations with socialism as their core under the direct concern of the leaders of the two parties of the DPRK and China.
He appreciated the epoch-making progress made by the CPC and the Chinese people in their efforts to implement the decisions of the 20th Party Congress under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping this year, marking the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
Wang Huning said that no matter how the international situation may change, the China-DPRK friendship, a strategic choice of both sides, will never waver, adding that China, which always regards the DPRK as a good comrade, good friend and good neighbour, will translate the important agreements of the top leaders of the two parties into substantial practice and thus provide greater happiness to the peoples of the two countries and contribute to the regional peace and stability.
The Chinese side will further preserve the true colours of the China-DPRK relations with socialism as their core by promoting mutual exchange, swapping experience and boosting unity and cooperation with the DPRK side, add vitality to the development of the China-DPRK relations and open up a new chapter this year, the year of friendship marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he stressed.
He expressed the Chinese side’s willingness to promote justice in the international community by jointly responding to the international and regional situation through strengthened strategic communication and tactical cooperation with the DPRK side.
Also on March 21, Kim met with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), who said that the Chinese side is ready to work with the DPRK side to resolutely implement the important consensus of the top leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the China-DPRK Friendship Year as an opportunity to strengthen inter-party exchanges, carry forward traditional friendship, deepen strategic communication, and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning.
The next day, Kim met with Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. He said the CPC is willing to work with the WPK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, make good use of the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the China-DPRK Friendship Year, strengthen strategic communication, deepen exchanges and mutual learning on party and state governance, push for more substantive results in practical cooperation, promote greater development of bilateral relations, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. He added that the China-DPRK friendship formed in blood has greeted a brighter future under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un.
On March 23, the Korean comrades met with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, who is also Foreign Minister.
Wang Yi said that it is the steadfast stand and will of the Chinese party, government and people to creditably defend, excellently consolidate and successfully develop the China-DPRK friendship formed in blood, a common precious wealth of the two countries, and expressed his belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would unshakably advance under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un, despite all challenges and difficulties.
He affirmed that China would as ever steadily boost strategic communication and tactical cooperation with the DPRK in the international arena to firmly champion the common interests of the two parties and peoples of the two countries and further the China-DPRK friendship.
Having concluded its China visit in Chengdu, the WPK delegation continued on to Vietnam. Particularly as the two countries have declared 2024 the year of China-DPRK Friendship, marking the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, established just days after the founding of the People’s Republic, a number of reports have suggested that this visit was preparatory to a top-level summit. This prospect was reinforced by a further event in Beijing on March 26 and a significant article published by the DPRK’s Foreign Ministry the same day.
In Beijing, Li Hongzhong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), attended a friendly gathering together with DPRK Ambassador Ri Yong Nam.
Li Hongzhong said that in recent years, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un have met many times and maintained close communication through various forms to point out the direction for the development of China-DPRK relations. China is ready to work with the DPRK side to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the China-DPRK Friendship Year as an opportunity to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the parties as well as in other fields, bring benefits to the two peoples, and make positive contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
Over the past 75 years, the leaders of the two parties and the two countries made concerted efforts to successfully defend, firmly consolidate and creditably develop the traditional China-DPRK friendship with shared ideal, faith and deep revolutionary friendship through generations, thus providing the people of the two countries with wellbeing, safeguarding the regional peace and leaving a notable trace in the history of international relations.
Ri Ryong Nam said that the two countries have further refined and developed the DPRK-China friendship sealed in blood, sharing weal and woe despite the complicated changes of history. The cornerstone of the DPRK-China friendship cherished in the minds of the peoples of the two countries is the deep personal relations that the top leaders of the two parties and two countries have established as the most friendly and genuine comrades, generation after generation.
The article from the DPRK’s Foreign Ministry noted that this day saw the sixth anniversary of the first meeting between Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping, which had “laid down a new marker of friendship”:
“It was a momentous occasion of an epoch-making significance in carrying forward and developing the traditional relations of friendship between the DPRK and China to the next generation.
“During his stay, respected Comrade Kim Jong Un had talks with Comrade Xi Jinping where he exchanged in-depth views on important issues such as the development of the friendly DPRK-China relations. He also affirmed the common will of the two countries to firmly defend the socialist system and provide happiness and a promising future for the two peoples.
“Each page of the history of the DPRK-China friendship is clearly marked with the world of comradely friendship between the preceding leaders of the two countries who worked hand-in-hand on the road to achieve a common cause.
“President Kim Il Sung established the historic root of DPRK-China friendship with Comrades Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, and they, together, shattered the aggression and anti-socialist manoeuvres of the imperialists. And through the exchange of visits with the preceding leaders of China, he firmed up the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and bequeathed it to the two peoples of the DPRK and China.
“Chairman Kim Jong Il carried forward the historic tradition of DPRK-China friendship established by President Kim Il Sung. Until the last days of his lifetime, he devoted all his heart and soul to developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.”
Meanwhile in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, Kim Song Nam met on March 26 with Truong Thi Mai, member of the Political Bureau, Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat and Chairperson of the Organisational Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee.
Kim Song Nam said that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and the two countries, provided by the preceding leaders of the two countries and firmly consolidated on the road of the anti-imperialist joint struggle, are developing onto a new high level under the deep care of Kim Jong Un and Nguyen Phu Trong.
He called for boosting friendship and solidarity and strengthening mutual support and cooperation in the international arena on the road of dynamically advancing the socialist cause in the future, too.
Truong Thi Mai, on behalf of the CPV, warmly welcomed the visit of the WPK delegation made at a significant time of marking the fifth anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Un’s visit to Vietnam.
The Vietnamese people are always grateful to the Korean people for their support and encouragement to the national liberation struggle, the cause of national reunification and socialist construction of Vietnam, she said, expressing the stand of the Vietnamese side to promote understanding between the two countries and ramp up cooperation through exchange in all fields so as to further develop the bilateral relations.
For his part, Kim expressed his pleasure to witness Vietnam’s great socio-economic development achievements under the leadership of the CPV, with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the helm.
He affirmed that the party and government of the DPRK always value and aspire to further develop the traditional friendship with Vietnam, which was founded and nurtured by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kim Il Sung, and leaders of the two countries.
The previous day, the Korean delegation had met with Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Secretariat and Chairman of the External Affairs Commission of the CPV CC.
Le Hoai Trung said that the relations between the two parties and the two countries of Vietnam and the DPRK are solid ones based on the socialist idea, expressing the steadfast stand of the CPV and the government and people of Vietnam to boost the traditional Vietnam-DPRK friendly relations. He went on to recommend that the two countries effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms, expand their cultural, art, sports, people-to-people, and locality-to-locality exchanges, and strengthen their coordination at multilateral forums.
On March 27, Kim met with Nguyen Van Nen, member of the Political Bureau of the CPV Central Committee and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Municipal Committee of the CPV, in Ho Chi Minh City.
Nguyen Van Nen said the Vietnamese party are rejoiced over the fact that the WPK and the DPRK government and people have made signal successes in socialist construction through an indomitable struggle under the leadership of Comrade Kim Jong Un , adding that the Vietnamese people have always remembered the DPRK’s sincere support to their anti-US national salvation struggle and cause of national reunification.
Together with other localities in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has been implementing the cooperation agreements reached between Nguyen Phu Trong and Kim Jong Un during the latter’s visit to Vietnam in 2019.
Briefing his guest on Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic situation, he said the city plans to send a delegation on a working visit to the DPRK in June.
After arriving in the Laotian capital Vientiane on March 28, the next day the WPK delegation paid a courtesy call on Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR).
Kim Song Nam said that the DPRK-Laos friendly relations are ceaselessly developing under the deep care of Kim Jong Un and Thongloun Sisoulith, expressing the stand of the WPK to hasten the victory of the socialist cause and ramp up the comradely and strategic cooperation and joint struggle with Laos on the road of achieving genuine international justice.
Thongloun Sisoulith stressed that the LPRP and the government and people of Laos attach great importance to the development of bilateral relations and are grateful to the WPK and the government and people of the DPRK for their warm support and encouragement to Laos in its efforts to save the nation, defend the country and accomplish the cause of nation building.
Expressing belief that the Korean people would attain the goal of building a powerful socialist country, true to the will of Comrade Kim Il Sung and Comrade Kim Jong Il , under the guidance of the WPK headed by Comrade Kim Jong Un, holding high the banner of the Juche idea, he heartily wished Comrade Kim Jong Un good health and bigger success in his work for leading the party, the government and the people.
The same day, talks were held with Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Chairman of the Committee for External Affairs of the LPRP CC.
Expressing the belief that the Korean people would achieve rapid progress in the struggle to boost the economy, improve the people’s living standards and bolster up the defence capability under the guidance of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim Jong Un , Thongsavanh Phomvihane declared that the LPRP and the Lao government fully support the policy of the WPK and the DPRK government for defending peace and security on the Korean peninsula.
The WPK delegation returned home on April 2. While in Vietnam it paid respects to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and in Laos visited the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, which was built by the DPRK as an act of fraternal solidarity.
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the websites of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK, and by Nhân Dân. The second report from the IDCPC was published in Chinese and was machine translated by us.
China’s top political advisor highlights enhanced cooperation with DPRK
BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) — Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met on Thursday with a delegation led by Kim Song Nam, international department director of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee.
Wang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the guidance of the top leaders of the two sides, China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have witnessed constant consolidation and development of their traditional friendship.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and is designated as the China-DPRK Friendship Year, Wang said China is willing to work with the DPRK to turn the important consensus reached by the top leaders into concrete actions advancing the friendship between the two sides, deepen collaboration, strengthen strategic communication, and jointly work for a peaceful and stable external environment.
“The CPPCC National Committee is ready to make positive contributions to promoting China-DPRK ties,” said Wang.
Noting that DPRK-China relations have opened a new chapter in history, Kim Song Nam said it is believed the DPRK-China Friendship Year will help promote exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in various fields and facilitate greater development of the socialist cause of the two countries.
Head of WPK Delegation Meets Chairman of CPPCC National Committee
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) — Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) who is on a visit to China as head of the WPK delegation, met Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), on March 21.
Kim Song Nam courteously conveyed the warm greetings from Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, to Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Wang Huning.
Wang Huning expressed deep thanks for the greetings and asked for conveying General Secretary Xi Jinping’s and his heartfelt, warm greetings to General Secretary Kim Jong Un.
Kim Song Nam referred to the fact that the DPRK-China relations have been steadily developing into genuine and solid comradely relations with socialism as their core under the direct concern of the leaders of the two parties of the DPRK and China.
He appreciated the epoch-making progress made by the CPC and the Chinese people in their efforts to implement the decisions of the 20th Party Congress under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping this year marking the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
Wang Huning said that no matter how the international situation may change, the China-DPRK friendship, a strategic choice of both sides, will never waver, adding that China, which always regards the DPRK as a good comrade, good friend and good neighbor, will translate the important agreements of the top leaders of the two parties into substantial practice and thus provide greater happiness to the peoples of the two countries and contribute to the regional peace and stability.
The Chinese side will further preserve the true colors of the China-DPRK relations with socialism as their core by promoting mutual exchange, swapping experience and boosting unity and cooperation with the DPRK side, add vitality to the development of the China-DPRK relations and open up a new chapter this year, the year of friendship marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he stressed.
He expressed the Chinese side’s willingness to promote justice of the international community by jointly responding to the international and regional situation through strengthened strategic communication and tactical cooperation with the DPRK side.
Expressing thanks to the DPRK for its firm support and encouragement in the issues related to the core interests of China, he declared that China fully supports the WPK which is strengthening itself, developing the economy and improving the people’s living standards.
Wishing the WPK great success in its activities and socialist construction under the wise leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Un, he affirmed that the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference would write a new chapter of the China-DPRK friendship and make a positive contribution to developing socialism in the two countries.
The talks proceeded in a comradely and friendly atmosphere.
Present there were members of the WPK delegation and DPRK ambassador to China Ri Ryong Nam and Shi Taifeng, member of the Political Bureau, member of the Secretariat and head of the United Front Work Department of the C.C., CPC who is concurrently vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, Wang Dongfeng, vice-chairman and secretary general of the CPPCC National Committee, and Liu Jianchao, head of the International Liaison Department of the C.C., CPC.
Liu Jianchao Meets with Kim Song Nam, Director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee
Beijing, March 21st (IDCPC) —Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with Kim Song Nam, Alternate Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and Director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Liu said, in recent years, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un have maintained close strategic communication through various forms, opening a new historical chapter of China-DPRK relations. The Chinese side is ready to work with the DPRK side to resolutely implement the important consensus of the top leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the China-DPRK Friendship Year as an opportunity to strengthen inter-party exchanges, carry forward traditional friendship, deepen strategic communication, and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning. Both sides should promote friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in various fields, constantly push China-DPRK relations for new development, benefit the two peoples, and promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
Kim Song Nam said, General Secretary Kim Jong Un and General Secretary Xi Jinping jointly designated 2024 as the China-DPRK Friendship Year. The DPRK side is willing to work with the Chinese side to follow the important instructions of the top leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, fulfill the responsibilities of the international department of the two Parties, inherit and develop the traditional friendship between the DPRK and China, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, enhance the well-being of the people, and promote the friendly cooperative relations between the DPRK and China for comprehensive development.
The two sides also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of common concern.
Zhao Shitong, Assistant-minister of the IDCPC, Ri Ryong Nam, DPRK Ambassador to China, Mun Song Hyok, Deputy Director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee, and others were present.
Talks Held between DPRK and Chinese Party Officials
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) — Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the C.C., Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) who is heading the WPK delegation on a visit to China, had talks with Liu Jianchao, head of the International Liaison Department of the C.C., Communist Party of China (CPC), in Beijing on March 21.
Liu Jianchao asked the head of the WPK delegation to convey the warm greetings and best wishes of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the WPK.
Kim Song Nam briefed on the achievements made in the Party building and the cause for comprehensive development of socialism under the wise guidance of the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un and on the WPK’s line and policy on the struggle against the U.S. and the enemy.
Noting that General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee warmly welcome and highly value the WPK delegation’s visit to China in the year of China-DPRK friendship, Liu Jianchao said that during the visit the delegation would feel the CPC’s will to steadily develop the traditional China-DPRK friendly relations.
At the talks, both sides reaffirmed their support for the policies being adopted by the two parties and the two countries in socialist construction and external relations and expressed the stand to expand cooperation between the sectors of external affairs of the parties in order to strengthen the bilateral relations in an all-round way with a long-term and prospective view on the solid foundation of the development of the friendly relations provided by the top leaders of the two parties.
Present there from DPRK side were members of the WPK delegation and the DPRK ambassador to China and from the Chinese side were officials of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee.
That day the WPK delegation was invited to a reception hosted by Liu Jianchao.
Senior CPC official meets WPK delegation
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhua) — Cai Qi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with a delegation led by Kim Song Nam, international department director of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee, in Beijing on Friday.
Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, said that in recent years, the top leaders of the two countries have maintained strategic communication through various forms. This has led to a new historical chapter in the relationship between China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The CPC is willing to work with the WPK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, make good use of the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the China-DPRK Friendship Year, strengthen strategic communication, deepen exchanges and mutual learning on party and state governance, push for more substantive results in practical cooperation, promote greater development of bilateral relations, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
Kim Song Nam said the DPRK is willing to work with China to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, strengthen friendship and solidarity between the two parties and two countries, and promote the continuous development of the socialist cause of the two countries.
Head of WPK Delegation Meets Member of Secretariat of C.C., CPC
Pyongyang, March 24 (KCNA) — Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) who is on a visit to China as head of a WPK delegation, met and had a friendly talk with Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, at the Great Hall of the People on March 22.
The head of the WPK delegation courteously conveyed warm greetings from the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un to Cai Qi.
Cai Qi expressed deep gratitude for this and asked Kim Song Nam to convey his respects to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the WPK.
Kim Song Nam stressed the need to exchange good experience in various fields, including party building and state management, and boost strategic and tactical cooperation as the DPRK-China relations and socialist construction in the two countries have entered a new stage of development under the direct leadership of the leaders of the two parties.
Cai Qi warmly welcomed the delegation of the WPK on a visit to China in the year of China-DPRK friendship, and said that the delegation’s visit served as an important occasion in further strengthening the friendly relations between the two parties.
He stated that the China-DPRK friendship formed in blood has greeted a brighter future under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un. The CPC will boost mutual communication and beef up practical cooperation together with the WPK, true to the noble will of the top leaders of the two parties, thus actively promoting the further development of the friendly relations between the two parties and two countries this year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he pointed out.
Saying that he was pleased that the WPK has achieved great achievements in the party building, economic development and the improvement of the people’s living standards with the idea of believing in the people as in Heaven and the people-first principle, he wished the Korean people steady progress in accomplishing the cause of socialist construction under the leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Un.
Present at the talk were members of the WPK delegation, DPRK Ambassador to China Ri Ryong Nam, head Liu Jianchao and officials of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the CPC.
Wang Yi Meets with A Delegation of the Workers’ Party of Korea
On March 23, 2024, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with a delegation led by Alternate Member of the Political Bureau and Director of the International Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea Central Committee Kim Song Nam in Beijing.
Wang Yi said that it is an unswerving policy and also the duty and mission of the CPC and the Chinese government in the new era to maintain, consolidate and develop the traditional friendship with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). China is willing to work with the DPRK to jointly implement the important common understandings reached between General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un, make success the series of activities of the China-DPRK Friendship Year, expand pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and open up brighter prospects for China-DPRK relations.
Kim Song Nam said that the DPRK-China friendship is the common strategic wealth of the two countries. The DPRK appreciates China’s support for its socialist cause and will also support China’s measures taken on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, among others.
Head of WPK Delegation Meets Director of Office of Foreign Affairs Commission of C.C., CPC
Pyongyang, March 25 (KCNA) — Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the C.C., Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) who is on a visit to China as head of a WPK delegation, met and had a friendly talk with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the C.C., Communist Party of China (CPC), at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 23.
Kim Song Nam called on the sectors in charge of foreign affairs of the two parties and two countries to contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations by making sure that the planned diverse and ample exchange and cooperation projects between the two sides bear excellent fruit in the year of DPRK-China friendship.
Wang Yi said that it is the steadfast stand and will of the Chinese party, government and people to creditably defend, excellently consolidate and successfully develop the China-DPRK friendship formed in blood, common precious wealth, and expressed belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would unshakably advance under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un, despite all challenges and difficulties.
He affirmed that China would as ever steadily boost strategic communication and tactical cooperation with the DPRK in the international arena to firmly champion the common interests of the two parties and peoples of the two countries and further the China-DPRK friendship.
Present at the talk were members of the WPK delegation, the DPRK ambassador to China, a vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, an assistant to the head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee and other officials concerned.
That day the WPK delegation was invited to a luncheon party hosted by Wang Yi.
Li Hongzhong attends China-DPRK friendly exchange activities
Li Hongzhong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, attended a friendly exchange between China and the DPRK in Beijing on 26 March.
Li Hongzhong said that in recent years, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un have met many times and maintained close communication through various forms to point out the direction for the development of China-DPRK relations. China is ready to work with the DPRK side to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the DPRK and the China-DPRK Friendship Year as an opportunity to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the parties and other fields, bring benefits to the two peoples, and make positive contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
DPRK Ambassador to China Ri Yong-nam said that the DPRK highly cherishes the traditional friendship between the DPRK and China and is willing to work together with the Chinese side to promote greater development of relations between the two parties and two countries.
The event was jointly organized by the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee and the DPRK Embassy in China, and was attended by responsible persons of central government organs and non-governmental organizations, as well as representatives of the DPRK in Beijing.
Ever-Growing DPRK-China Friendship
Pyongyang, March 30 (KCNA) — An event took place at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing of China on March 26 to commemorate the mutual visits by the top leaders of the two parties of the DPRK and China.
Present there were Li Hongzhong, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., Communist Party of China (CPC) and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress, officials from the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Chinese National People’s Congress and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other officials concerned of China and DPRK Ambassador to China Ri Ryong Nam and staff members of his embassy.
The participants watched immortal motion pictures of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il meeting with the leaders of the elder generation of China and a film on the historic meetings between the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and Comrade Xi Jinping.
Speeches were made at the reception that followed the event.
Li Hongzhong said that over the past 75 years the leaders of the two parties and the two countries made concerted efforts to successfully defend, firmly consolidate and creditably develop the traditional China-DPRK friendship with shared ideal, faith and deep revolutionary friendship through generations, thus providing the people of the two countries with wellbeing, safeguarding the regional peace and leaving a notable trace in the history of international relations.
He stressed that the Chinese side, together with the DPRK side, would encourage the traditional friendship, boost the strategic communication, expand practical cooperation and ramp up friendly exchange, true to the noble will of the top leaders of both countries and apply the important common understanding reached by General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un to practice and jointly write a new chapter of friendship between China and the DPRK on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the “year of China-DPRK friendship” in the new times and under the new situation.
Ri Ryong Nam said that the two countries have further refined and developed the DPRK-China friendship sealed in blood, sharing weal and woe despite the complicated changes of history. The cornerstone of the DPRK-China friendship cherished in the minds of the peoples of the two countries is the deep personal relations that the top leaders of the two parties and two countries have established as the most friendly and genuine comrades generation after generation, he added.
Referring to the weighty significance of the first meeting between the top leaders of the two parties in March 2018, he stressed that the DPRK-China friendship is growing stronger day by day in keeping with the common desire of the two peoples and the requirement of the times under the important agreement achieved by Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping.
Historic Event of Developing DPRK-China Friendship onto New Higher Level
Today, as the balmy spring air blows in, the two peoples of the DPRK and China look back with fond memory on March six years ago that laid down a new landmark of friendship.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), at the kind invitation of Comrade Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), President of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC, paid his historic first visit to China from March 25 – 28, 2018. It was a momentous occasion of an epoch-making significance in carrying forward and developing the traditional relations of friendship between the DPRK and China to the next generation.
During his stay, respected Comrade Kim Jong Un had talks with Comrade Xi Jinping where he exchanged in-depth views on important issues such as the development of the friendly DPRK-China relations. He also affirmed the common will of the two countries to firmly defend the socialist system and provide happiness and a promising future for the two peoples.
Each page of the history of the DPRK-China friendship is clearly marked with the world of comradely friendship between the preceding leaders of the two countries who worked hand-in-hand on the road to achieve a common cause.
President Kim Il Sung established the historic root of DPRK-China friendship with Comrades Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, and they, together, shattered the aggression and anti-socialist maneuvers of the imperialists. And through the exchange of visits with the preceding leaders of China, he firmed up the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and bequeathed it to the two peoples of the DPRK and China.
Chairman Kim Jong Il carried forward the historic tradition of DPRK-China friendship established by President Kim Il Sung. Until the last days of his lifetime, he devoted all his heart and soul to developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
Therefore, respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, in his speech delivered at the welcoming banquet hosted by Comrade Xi Jinping said that it is a firm stand of our Party and government to strengthen and develop onto a new level the DPRK-PRC relations of friendship, which were formed in the course of sacred common struggles for the socialist cause and maintained their original features despite all kinds of ordeals of history, true to the noble intentions of the preceding leaders.
In the speech delivered at the banquet, Comrade Xi Jinping also said that the traditional PRC-DPRK friendship is the unique one ever seen in the world that was forged in blood, and it provides a source of happiness for the peoples of two countries, just as an evergreen tree and an eternal spring. He stressed that both sides should treasure and add everlasting glory to the friendship, the valuable common asset, while firmly defending it.
In less than a year after the historic visit of respected Comrade Kim Jong Un to China, he had four rounds of significant meetings and talks with Comrade Xi Jinping to further strengthen and develop the traditional friendship between the DPRK and PRC as required by the new era and put the relations between the two Parties and the two countries onto a new strategic level.
The relations of friendship and genuine comradeship between the leaders of the two Parties and the two countries are the driving force which makes the friendship between the DPRK and PRC dynamically develop without being flinched by change of situation and any challenges.
On the occasion of the new year 2024 which marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and PRC, respected Comrade Kim Jong Un exchanged congratulatory messages with Comrade Xi Jinping where he officially declared the start of the “year of the DPRK-China friendship”.
Under the personal leadership of respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and Comrade Xi Jinping, the DPRK and PRC will continue to cope with the complicated international situation in a proactive manner and to steadily develop the friendship and comradely cooperation onto a new higher level through close collaboration, both strategic and tactical, while accelerating the socialist construction.
WPK Delegation Arrives in Hanoi
Pyongyang, March 27 (KCNA) — A delegation of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) headed by Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee, arrived in Hanoi on March 25 to visit Vietnam.
Earlier, the delegation left Chengdu on March 25 after concluding its visit to China.
During the China visit, the delegation toured various parts of Beijing and Sichuan Province, including the history exhibition house of the Communist Party of China and the Zhaolai Academy of Agricultural Technology.
Head of WPK Delegation Meets Standing Secretary of Secretariat of C.C., CPV
Pyongyang, March 28 (KCNA) — Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the C.C., Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) who is on a visit to Vietnam as head of a WPK delegation, met and had a friendly talk with Truong Thi Mai, member of the Political Bureau, standing secretary of the Secretariat and chairperson of the Organizational Commission of the C.C., Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), in Hanoi on March 26.
Kim Song Nam courteously conveyed warm greetings from Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, to Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the CPV Central Committee.
Truong Thi Mai expressed deep thanks for this and asked Kim Song Nam to convey warm greetings from Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the CPV Central Committee, to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Kim Song Nam said that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and the two countries provided by the preceding leaders of the two countries and firmly consolidated on the road of the anti-imperialist joint struggle are developing onto a new high level under the deep care of Kim Jong Un and Nguyen Phu Trong.
He called for boosting friendship and solidarity and strengthening mutual support and cooperation in the international arena on the road of dynamically advancing the socialist cause in the future, too.
Truong Thi Mai, on behalf of the CPV, warmly welcomed the visit of the WPK delegation made at a significant time of marking the fifth anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Un’s visit to Vietnam.
Vietnam sincerely wishes the Korean people bigger successes in socialist construction, including the economic construction and the improvement of people’s living standards, under the guidance of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim Jong Un, she stressed.
The Vietnamese people are always grateful to the Korean people for their support and encouragement to the national-liberation struggle, the cause of national reunification and socialist construction of Vietnam, she said, expressing the stand of the Vietnamese side to promote understanding between the two countries and ramp up cooperation through exchange in all fields so as to further develop the bilateral relations.
Present at the talk were members of the WPK delegation, the DPRK charge d’affaires ad interim to Vietnam, a deputy director of the General Office and a vice chairman of the External Affairs Commission of the CPV Central Committee, and others.
Senior Party official receives DPRK guest
Politburo member, permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai hosted a reception for visiting Director of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Kim Song Nam in Hanoi on March 26.
The Vietnamese Party official warmly welcomed the DPRK delegation to visit Vietnam from March 25 to 28 in the context that the two sides are looking forward to commemorating the 75th founding anniversary of the diplomatic relations.
Mai congratulated the Party, government, and people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on achievements they have made since the WPK’s 8th Congress, expressing her belief that under the leadership of the Central Committee of the WPK, the country will achieve more successes in developing the economy and improving the people’s lives.
She stressed that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam always attach importance to the traditional friendship and cooperation with their DPRK counterparts, and always remember and appreciate the support and solidarity of the DPRK for the national liberation and construction cause of Vietnam.
Highly valuing the results of the talks between the DPRK Party official and head of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung, Mai mentioned some orientations for cooperation between the two sides in the coming time, including to continue enhancing the advisory role of the Commission for External Relations and the International Department of the two Parties in promoting the relations between the two parties and two countries.
For his part, Kim expressed his pleasure to witness Vietnam’s great socio-economic development achievements under the leadership of the CPV, with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the helm.
He affirmed that the Party and government of the DPRK always value and aspire to further develop the traditional friendship with Vietnam, which was founded and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Kim Il Sung, and leaders of the two countries.
The DPRK is ready to work with Vietnam to implement the common perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two parties and countries, he stated.
Talks Held between DPRK and Vietnamese Party Officials
Pyongyang, March 27 (KCNA) — Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the C.C., Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) who is heading the WPK delegation on a visit to Vietnam, had talks with Le Hoai Trung, secretary of the Secretariat and chairman of the External Affairs Commission of the C.C., Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), in Hanoi on March 25.
Kim Song Nam referred to the WPK’s line and policy on the struggle against the U.S. and the enemy, stressing the need to further consolidate and develop the friendly and cooperative relations by comprehensively implementing the historic agreement between the top leaders of the two parties.
Le Hoai Trung said that the relations between the two parties and the two countries of Vietnam and the DPRK are solid ones based on the socialist idea, expressing the steadfast stand of the CPV and the government and people of Vietnam to boost the traditional Vietnam-DPRK friendly relations.
At the talks, both sides discussed the issues of expanding and strengthening the political ties between the two parties and the two countries, boosting cooperation in various fields and putting the bilateral relations on a new high stage through close support and solidarity in the international arena and reached a consensus of views on them.
Present there from the DPRK side were members of the WPK delegation and the DPRK charge d’affaires ad interim to Vietnam and from the Vietnamese side were a vice-chairman and other officials of the External Affairs Commission of the CPV Central Committee and the Foreign Ministry.
That day the WPK delegation was invited to a reception hosted by the CPV Central Committee.
Vietnamese, DPRK senior party officials hold talks
Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung held talks with visiting Director of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Kim Song Nam in Hanoi on March 25.
At the event, Trung stated that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people always treasure the traditional friendship and cooperation with the WPK, Government, and people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
He proposed both sides enhance exchanges and contacts at all levels to strengthen mutual understanding and develop the ties between their parties and countries across various fields.
Trung went on to recommend the two countries effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms, expand their cultural, art, sports, people-to-people, locality-to-locality exchanges, and strengthen their coordination at multilateral forums.
For his part, Kim, who is leading a delegation to visit Vietnam from March 25 to 28, stressed his trip is to step up the development of the Vietnam-DPRK friendship and collaboration and to discuss measures to strengthen the sides’ party building work.
He affirmed that the Party, Government, and people of the DPRK value the traditional friendship with Vietnam and are pleased with the development of the relationship shared between the two parties and countries.
The DPRK is ready to work with Vietnam to promote ties, he affirmed. During the talks, the officials discussed and evaluated the results of cooperation between the commission and the department so far. They concurred on cooperation measures, including further promotion of the role of the two bodies, and effective implementation of cooperation directions that were agreed upon by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chairman of the DPRK’s State Affairs Commission Kim Jong-un during the latter’s visit to Vietnam in 2019.
Head of WPK Delegation Meets Secretary of Ho Chi Minh Municipal Committee of CPV
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) — Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the C.C., Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) who is on a visit to Vietnam as head of a WPK delegation, met and had a talk with Nguyen Van Nen, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Municipal Committee of the CPV, in Ho Chi Minh Municipality on March 27.
Kim Song Nam briefed on the reality of the DPRK achieving the comprehensive development of socialism under the wise guidance of the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un and stressed the need to consolidate and develop the friendly relations in line with the noble will and intention of the top leaders of the two parties.
Nguyen Van Nen said they are rejoiced over the fact that the WPK and the DPRK government and people have made signal successes in socialist construction through an indomitable struggle under the leadership of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, adding that the Vietnamese people have always remembered the DPRK’s sincere support to their anti-U.S. national salvation struggle and cause of national reunification.
Stating that the bilateral relations are further developing on the basis of deep trust between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary Kim Jong Un, he expressed the will to thoroughly implement the historic agreement between the top leaders of the two parties.
Present at the talk were members of the WPK delegation, the charge d’affaires ad interim of the DPRK embassy in Hanoi, a vice-chairperson of the External Affairs Commission of the CPV Central Committee, a vice-chairperson of the Ho Chi Minh Municipal People’s Committee and others.
That day, the WPK delegation was invited to a reception hosted by Nguyen Van Nen.
Ho Chi Minh City wishes to strengthen cooperation with DPRK localities: Official
Ho Chi Minh City wishes to strengthen cooperation with localities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), said Politburo member, Secretary of the city Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen on March 27 while receiving Director of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Kim Song Nam.
Nen emphasised that the city’s Party Committee, administration, and people always value the traditional friendship and cooperative relations between the two Parties, Governments, and peoples of Vietnam and DPRK.
Together with other localities in Vietnam, the city has been implementing the cooperation directions agreed upon by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chairman of the WPK, Chairman of the DPRK’s State Affairs Commission Kim Jong-un during the latter’s visit to Vietnam in 2019.
Briefing his guest on Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic situation, Nen said the city plans to send a delegation on a working visit to the DPRK in June
For his part, the Korean official expressed his impression of the city’s development achievements.
He also wished the two sides strengthen the implementation of the cooperation directions agreed upon by leaders of the two countries as well as boost cooperative relations between the two Parties and two States.
He thanked the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee for choosing DPRK’s localities to expand cooperation in the coming years, wishing that the localities will develop close relations that help strengthen the relations between the two countries.
WPK Delegation Arrives in Vientiane
Pyongyang, March 30 (KCNA) — A delegation of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) headed by Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee, arrived in Vientiane on March 28 to visit Laos.
Earlier that day, the delegation left Hanoi after visiting Vietnam.
During the visit to Vietnam, the delegation laid a wreath at the grave of President Ho Chi Minh and toured various places of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Municipality.
Head of WPK Delegation Meets General Secretary of C.C., LPRP
Pyongyang, March 31 (KCNA) — Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the C.C., Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) who is on a visit to Laos as head of a WPK delegation, paid a courtesy call on Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the C.C., Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and president of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on March 29.
Thongloun Sisoulith expressed deep thanks to Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, for having sent congratulatory messages and beautiful floral baskets on the founding anniversary of the LPRP and other major occasions and asked Kim Song Nam to convey his warm greetings to the General Secretary.
Kim Song Nam courteously conveyed warm greetings and verbal letter from the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un to Thongloun Sisoulith.
Kim Song Nam said that the DPRK-Laos friendly relations are ceaselessly developing under the deep care of Kim Jong Un and Thongloun Sisoulith, expressing the stand of the WPK to hasten the victory of the socialist cause and ramp up the comradely and strategic cooperation and joint struggle with Laos on the road of achieving genuine international justice.
Thongloun Sisoulith said that he highly appreciated the verbal letter from Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, and he was much impressed by it, adding this serves as an important occasion in developing the friendly relations between the parties and peoples of the two countries onto a new high level.
Noting that he is eyeing the DPRK undergoing rapid development under the energetic and seasoned leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Un, he expressed belief that many successes would be made in boosting the relations between the two parties and the two countries based on the idea of socialism.
He stressed that the LPRP and the government and people of Laos attaching great importance to the development of bilateral relations are grateful to the WPK and the government and people of the DPRK for their warm support and encouragement to Laos in its efforts to save the nation, defend the country and accomplish the cause of nation building.
Expressing belief that the Korean people would attain the goal of building a powerful socialist country, true to the will of Comrade Kim Il Sung and Comrade Kim Jong Il, under the guidance of the WPK headed by Comrade Kim Jong Un, holding high the banner of the Juche idea, he heartily wished Comrade Kim Jong Un good health and bigger success in his work for leading the Party, the government and the people.
The talk proceeded in a comradely and friendly atmosphere.
Present there were members of the WPK delegation, the DPRK ambassador to Laos, the secretary who doubles as the secretary general of the Central Committee of the LPRP, the chairperson of the Committee for External Affairs of the LPRP and others.
Talks Held in Vientiane
Pyongyang, March 31 (KCNA) — Talks were held in Vientiane on March 29 between Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the C.C., Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) who is on a visit to Laos as head of a WPK delegation, and Thongsavanh Phomvihane, chairman of the Committee for External Affairs of the C.C., Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP).
Kim Song Nam briefed on the fact that a heyday of strengthening the whole Party, a new era of comprehensive development of socialism, is being ushered in under the wise guidance of the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un, and stressed the validity of the WPK’s policy of bolstering up the military capability for self-defence and line of struggle against the enemy.
Expressing belief that the Korean people would achieve rapid progress in the struggle to boost the economy, improve the people’s living standards and bolster up the defence capability under the guidance of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim Jong Un, Thongsavanh Phomvihane declared that the LPRP and the Lao government fully support the policy of the WPK and the DPRK government for defending peace and security on the Korean peninsula.
The talks discussed the issues for steadily consolidating and developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and the two countries in keeping with the requirements of the new era and the common desire of the two peoples and for ramping up the mutual support and solidarity in the international arena.
Present there, from the DPRK side, were members of the WPK delegation and the DPRK ambassador to Laos and, from the Lao side, a vice-chairperson and other officials of the Committee for External Affairs of the LPRP Central Committee.
That evening the WPK delegation was invited to a reception hosted by Thongsavanh Phomvihane.
WPK Delegation Leaves Vientiane
Pyongyang, April 2 (KCNA) — A delegation of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) headed by Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee, left Vientiane on Sunday after visiting Laos.
During the visit, the delegation toured the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum and other parts of Laos.
