Category: Korea

WPK delegation visits China

Important and high-level exchanges between China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have continued since top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un visited the Chinese border city of Dandong on October 24, marking the 76th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People’s Volunteer (CPV) Army into the war known in the DPRK as the Fatherland Liberation War and in China as the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.

On November 3, at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), a delegation of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) led by Kim Song Nam, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, began an official visit to China.

It was the second high-ranking delegation from a ruling communist party to visit China since the conclusion of the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, following the visit of the delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam, headed by Nguyen Thanh Nghi.

On November 5, the delegation met with Wang Yi, a 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 China’s foreign minister.

Wang said that General Secretary Xi Jinping successfully paid a state visit to the DPRK in June, pointing out the direction for the development of China-DPRK relations in the new era. China, he added, is willing to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries and promote the continuous growth of bilateral ties.

He informed the Korean guests about the fifth plenary meeting of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC and expressed the will of the party and government of China to strengthen exchanges between the two parties, the socialist ruling parties, and further deepen the bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries.

On November 6, the delegation met with Cai Qi, 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. He said that China is ready to expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, enhance strategic communication and coordination, contribute to the steady and long-term development of the socialist cause of the two countries, and promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

He affirmed that no matter the ever-changing international situation, the Chinese party and government would remain unchanged in its firm stand of attaching profound importance to the traditional China-DPRK friendship and supporting the Korean socialist cause led by Comrade General Secretary Kim Jong Un and in its unshakable decision to protect the common interests and excellent strategic environment of the two sides.

Kim Song Nam said the profound friendship and strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries are the solid foundation and inexhaustible driving force for the continuous development of relations between the DPRK and China and that it is the steadfast stand of the WPK to steadily develop the DPRK-China relations with socialism as the core. He hoped that the Chinese people would achieve greater successes in the course of building a thriving nation and achieving national prosperity under the leadership of the CPC with Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping as its core.

He further congratulated China on the successful convening of the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and said the DPRK stands ready to further enhance inter-party exchanges and cooperation with China.

Kim Song Nam met with his counterpart Liu Haixing, Minister of the CPC International Department, who had just returned from visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh, on the same day.

Liu Haixing welcomed Kim Song Nam to visit China shortly after the successful convening of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, stating that China and the DPRK are socialist friendly neighbours who support each other. He added that Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Central Committee of the CPC warmly welcome the WPK delegation visiting China and attach great importance to it, adding that the current visit is of great significance in developing the China-DPRK relations. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of both parties and countries, China-DPRK relations have entered a new historical period. In June this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping made a historic visit to the DPRK, reaching a series of important consensuses with General Secretary Kim Jong Un, injecting new contemporary meaning and strong momentum into the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK. Recently, General Secretary Kim Jong Un made a special visit to Dandong on the 76th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army’s campaign to resist US aggression and aid Korea, highlighting the unbreakable and enduring traditional friendship forged in blood.

Liu Haixing stated that both the Chinese and DPRK parties are strong leadership cores in their respective socialist causes. The Communist Party of China is willing to further promote friendly exchanges and exchanges at all levels with the Workers’ Party of Korea and promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields. Liu Haixing also introduced the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, expressing the Party’s willingness to strengthen exchanges of Party and state governance experience with the Workers’ Party of Korea, sharing their respective concepts and experiences in persistently advancing comprehensive and strict Party governance, and building their respective Parties to become stronger and more effective.

Kim Song Nam stated that under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of both parties and countries, the friendly relations between the DPRK and China have further developed at a new strategic height. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the DPRK and China. General Secretary Xi Jinping made a historic visit to the DPRK in June, and General Secretary Kim Jong Un recently visited the Memorial Hall in Dandong of the war to resist US aggression and aid Korea, reflecting the special and unbreakable friendship between the DPRK and China. The DPRK is pleased to see that since June, exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries have been deepening. General Secretary Kim Jong Un pointed out that inter-party relations are the absolute advantage in China-DPRK relations, and General Secretary Xi Jinping called on the two parties to play a leading role in bilateral relations. The DPRK is willing to uphold the will of the top leaders of both parties and countries, and to comprehensively carry out exchanges with the Communist Party of China at all levels and in all fields, including strengthening exchanges between Party schools, Party newspapers, and local Party committees, to further promote the development of bilateral relations. The DPRK side also highly praised the new achievements China has made in national development and Party building under General Secretary Xi Jinping’s leadership and congratulated the successful convening of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Deepening the exchange of governance experience is beneficial to the development of each party, he emphasised.

The WPK delegation also visited the CPC’s Central Party School along with various places in Shanghai and Qingdao. It returned home on November 7.

Earlier, a delegation of the CPC’s Central Party School, headed by Vice President Xie Chuntao, visited the DPRK from November 2 to November 4. The delegation met with Ju Chang Il, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, presented flowers to the statues of late DPRK leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, and visited the Central Cadres Training School of the Workers’ Party of Korea along with other places in Pyongyang.

And on November 3, a delegation of the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) led by its Vice President Pak Kwang Chol departed Pyongyang to take part in the Seventh World Media Summit in Beijing. The summit opened on November 7, with the participation of nearly 500 representatives from nearly 330 mainstream media outlets, think tanks and government bodies from 112 countries and regions, as well as the United Nations and other international organisations.

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Kim Jong Un visits Chinese border city of Dandong to honour Chinese People’s Volunteers

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), paid a visit to Dandong, a border city in northeast China’s Liaoning Province facing the DPRK across the Yalu (Amnok) River, on October 24, the eve of the 76th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People’s Volunteer (CPV) Army into the war known in the DPRK as the Fatherland Liberation War and in China as the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.

Kim and his party made the journey by crossing the new bridge connecting the two countries that opened on October 15.

Kim was greeted and accompanied throughout his day-long visit by Wang Huning, China’s top political adviser, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and who conveyed General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s cordial greetings and best wishes to the DPRK leader.

The Xinhua News Agency reported that Wang greeted Kim at the square of the Memorial Hall of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea and accompanied him to present a flower basket to the memorial tower.

During their meeting, Wang said that on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the CPV’s entry into the DPRK to fight in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, General Secretary Kim Jong Un’s special trip to Dandong fully demonstrates how much the party and government of the DPRK value the China-DPRK friendship forged with blood. He added that the visit is highly significant, as it not only carries forward the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK and consolidates the popular support for friendship, but also deepens political mutual trust and advances cooperation and development. China stands ready to work with the DPRK to unswervingly implement the important consensus reached between the top leaders of the two parties and two countries and take their common socialist cause as a bond to further develop China-DPRK relations.

Kim asked Wang to convey his cordial greetings and best wishes to General Secretary Xi Jinping and wished the upcoming fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC success. He said that he has come to Dandong on this special trip to pay tribute to the martyrs of the CPV, who sacrificed their lives to support the DPRK at a critical historical juncture, and to express the DPRK’s heartfelt gratitude and eternal respect for these heroes.

General Secretary Xi Jinping’s historic visit to the DPRK in June this year demonstrates the high importance attached to DPRK-China relations and marks a milestone in the development of bilateral ties, Kim added. Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, he thanked China for its long-term support and assistance to the DPRK’s socialist cause and said the prospects for cooperation between the two sides are very broad. The DPRK admires the remarkable development achievements scored by the Chinese people and their rightful important international standing under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the DPRK stands ready to work with China to carry forward historical friendship, expand practical cooperation, and bring tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) noted that the memorial hall visited by Kim is a “monument to great friendship that tells forever the sacred and excellent history and invincible unity of the DPRK-China friendship and always brings closer the peoples of the two countries, who forged their genuine comradely relations and militant friendship through the realisation of the common ideal for socialism and the bloody struggle against the imperialist aggression and have creditably carried forward and developed them century after century and generation after generation.”

It reported Kim Jong Un as saying that it is a natural duty and obligation to remember the great years and history in reverence at the place where the CPV martyrs were dispatched, adding that it was a moment to recollect the preciousness of the DPRK-China friendship forged at the cost of blood. We will always remember the history when the excellent sons and daughters of the Chinese people helped our revolution at the cost of their blood and steadily and firmly carry forward the history of the DPRK-China friendship, he noted. And he extended thanks to esteemed Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping for paying special and meticulous attention to his visit, asked to convey his warm greetings and best wishes to Comrade Xi Jinping and expressed deep thanks for the warm hospitality accorded by Dandong City and Liaoning Province.

Kim Jong Un also visited the Dandong City Bus Factory and said farewell to his Chinese comrades on the new bridge linking the two socialist neighbours. Kim Jong Un sincerely hoped that the Chinese party and government would carry on the course of the rapid development of the PRC with better and plentiful successes under the experienced and seasoned leadership of Comrade Xi Jinping.

On the same day, China and the DPRK jointly held a completion ceremony for the renovation project for the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) martyrs’ cemeteries in Sinphyong County, North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK.

Qi Han, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in the DPRK, said that 76 years ago, the CPV fought shoulder to shoulder with the DPRK army and people, shared weal and woe, and the traditional China-DPRK friendship forged in blood will never fade. China stands ready to continue to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, do well in honouring and commemorating the CPV martyrs in the DPRK, consolidate traditional bonds, enhance strategic coordination, maintain regional peace, honour the martyrs who sacrificed their lives and benefit the two peoples through peace and development.

DPRK Vice-Minister of Urban Management Kang Chol Ho said that the brilliant feats, noble soul and self-sacrificing spirit of the CPV who fought bravely against the common enemy under the uplifted banner of resisting America and aiding Korea, safeguarding the home and defending the motherland will be conveyed forever along with the DPRK-China friendship.

Hong Zongming, vice minister of China’s Ministry of Veterans Affairs, leading a delegation of his ministry, said the memorial facilities for the CPV martyrs in the DPRK are “an important platform” for carrying forward the spirit of the fallen heroes and the China-DPRK friendship.

The delegation of China’s Ministry of Veterans Affairs arrived in Pyongyang by train on October 22. It met with Kim Son Il, minister of Urban Management of the DPRK, on October 25 and on the same day participated in a wreath laying ceremony at central Pyongyang’s Friendship Tower, which honours the Chinese People’s Volunteers.

They were joined by Kim Hyong Sik, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, Mun Song Hyok, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Myong Su, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, along with Qi Han, charge d’affaires ad interim, and other officials of the Chinese embassy and other Chinese guests and residents in the DPRK.

KCNA reported that “before looking round the tower, the participants paid a silent tribute to the memory of the fallen fighters of the Chinese People’s Volunteers who bravely fought, displaying a matchless self-sacrificing spirit, in the sacred war for repelling the imperialist armed invasion, out of their noble internationalist obligation”.

The Ministry of Veterans Affairs delegation also visited Pyongyang’s Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, as well as the cemeteries of fallen soldiers of the Chinese People’s Volunteers in Pyongyang Municipality and South Phyongan Province, and left for home by air on October 26.

Joint commemorations were also held in Shenyang, the capital of China’s Liaoning province.

A commentary carried by KCNA lauded the contributions and heroic feats of the CPV. Setting the historical context, it wrote:

“Today marks the 76th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People’s Volunteers into the Korean front.

“The DPRK-China friendship is an invincible one firmly united with comradely friendship and bloody ties in the struggle against foreign aggressors. In the days of the great anti-Japanese war, the revolutionaries and other peoples of Korea and China provided the precious cornerstone of friendship and excellent tradition while waging an armed struggle against the Japanese imperialists, the common enemy. The Korean communists rendered selfless assistance to China’s revolutionary civil war, thus making an active contribution to the birth of new China.

“The CPV’s entry into the Korean front was a clear demonstration of the revolutionary unity of the peoples of the two countries formed and deepened at the cost of blood in the anti-Japanese war and the struggle for nation building.”

Among various historical events it highlighted: “In October 1952 the US imperialists launched a desperate attack on Sanggam Pass by mobilising four divisions, over 100 planes, many artillery pieces and tanks, but the CPV soldiers fought bravely to the last. In this battle, Huang Jiguang, who had received severe injuries to his arms and a shoulder, blocked the enemy’s pillbox with his chest to open the way for the advance of the unit… The heroic feats performed by excellent sons and daughters of the Chinese people in the arduous war are recorded on the shores of Lake Jangjin and the Chongchon River and Height 391. In those days, a number of heroic soldiers including Mao Anying [son of Comrade Mao Zedong], Yang Liandi, Qiu Shaoyun and Sun Zhanyuan were produced.

“The CPV soldiers regarded the Korean people as their own parents and brothers in their native places and sacrificed their lives for them without hesitation. The self-sacrificing spirit displayed by Luo Shengjiao, martyr who saved a child at the cost of his life, and the heart-touching stories that a CPV army surgeon gave a transfusion of [his own] blood to a wounded scout of the People’s Army are still deeply engraved in the hearts of the Korean people.”

Earlier, on October 22, KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un had received a reply message from Xi Jinping on October 20, in response to the message sent by Kim greeting the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Xi Jinping wrote: “For 77 years since the founding of new China, the Chinese people worked two miracles – the rapid development of the economy and the long-term stability of society – through an uninterrupted effort in single-hearted unity under the firm leadership of the Communist Party of China. They have achieved the goal of building a comprehensively well-off society in an all-round way as scheduled and are making a dynamic advance towards the goal of comprehensively building a modern and powerful socialist country.

“The two countries, China and the DPRK, are linked by the same mountain and rivers. They are friendly generation after generation and [have been] defending and helping each other while sharing their destiny…

“We are pleased to see the DPRK opening up a new era of overall development of socialism. I believe that the socialist cause of the DPRK will surely and continuously open up a new phase under the firm leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea headed by you, Comrade General Secretary.”

Meanwhile, on October 28, Xinhua reported that China has confirmed the identities of eight more Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. The Ministry of Veterans Affairs noted that this marks further progress in efforts to identify the remains of CPV martyrs repatriated from the Republic of Korea (ROK).

According to an agreement between China and the ROK signed in late 2013, the two sides consult every year on the handover of remains of Chinese soldiers found in the ROK. And since 2014, China and the ROK have completed 13 consecutive handovers involving the remains of 1,023 CPV martyrs.

Xinhua added that in recent years China has intensified efforts to identify the remains of CPV martyrs, including the creation of a DNA database for martyrs and their relatives, offering solid technical and data support to help more families find their missing loved ones.

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New bridge of friendship links China and DPRK

China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) held a joint ceremony on October 15 to open the new bridge connecting China’s Liaoning Province and North Pyongan Province of the DPRK.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and DPRK Premier Pak Thae Song addressed the ceremony by video link.

Li called upon the two countries to take the opening of the new China-DPRK Yalu River bridge as an opportunity to continuously optimise port clearance, enhance connectivity, tap the potential for cooperation in border areas, and improve the well-being of the two peoples. [Editor’s Note: The river is known as the Yalu in China and the Amnok in Korea.]

“The bridge is bound to become a new landmark symbolising the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK,” he added.

Noting that the bridge is an important cross-border infrastructure project that General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un have jointly cared about and promoted, Li said that China and the DPRK are friendly socialist neighbours linked by mountains and rivers, adding that at present, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and countries, China-DPRK relations are entering a new stage and opening a new chapter.

He went on to say Xi has pointed out that no matter how the international landscape evolves, the firm position of China’s party and government to attach great importance to the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK will remain unchanged; the firm support for Kim in leading the DPRK’s socialist cause will remain unchanged; and the determination to safeguard the common interests of both sides and maintain a favourable strategic environment will remain unchanged.

Premier Pak Thae Song said that the opening ceremony of the bridge serves as a significant occasion of not only connecting the branches of the two countries in a fresh, natural and geographical way but also firmly linking the friendly ties between the peoples of the two countries who have shared life and death for a long time.

It is the consistent stand of the DPRK government to steadily put the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations with socialism, the common idea, common banner and the common cause, as the core on a new strategic height in conformity with the interests and desire of the peoples of the two countries, he stressed.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) further noted that speakers from the provincial bodies of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Communist Party of China said that the opening of the Amnok River Bridge held in October marking the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the entry of the Chinese People’s Volunteers into the Korean front is a clear manifestation of the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations dynamically developing on a new high stage thanks to the deep personal relations between respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and respected Comrade Xi Jinping and their energetic leadership.

They further expressed the will to boost bilateral exchange and cooperation for the development of the DPRK-China relations, wishing the traditional DPRK-China friendship, the common wealth of the two countries, to be eternal.

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DPRK commentary: Taiwan’s return to China is a matter of time

On October 7, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a commentary written by Kim Myong Chol, a well-known international affairs analyst in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), accusing the United States of acting rashly over the question of China’s Taiwan.

Noting that the US and its allies constantly speak of “peace and stability” in the Taiwan Strait, Kim notes that in fact the US has “systematically destroyed regional stability and persistently escalated the situation”.

The US sale of fighter jets to the island province is another typical example of the US’ peculiar contribution to “peace and stability” of the Taiwan Strait:

“This is nothing but a shameless act of planting a bomb at the gate of other’s house and asserting that the bomb is for ensuring the security of the house.

“When the People’s Republic of China and the US established their diplomatic relations, the latter recognised the government of the former as the only legitimate government of China and Taiwan as a part of the former. But the US made it its policy and obligation to sell weapons to Taiwan, irrespective of the change of its administration, and has supported the separatist forces pursuing ‘Taiwan’s independence’ and challenging the ‘one-China principle’.”

Pointing out that the Taiwan issue is an internal affair of China, so how to settle it is entirely the affair of the Chinese people, and no outside forces have the right to interfere in it, the commentary adds:

“The US should think twice whether it is ready to stand in frontal confrontation with the powerful national power of the People’s Republic of China for the security of Taiwan and whether it can cope with its consequences. If it is worried about the consequences, it had better think and act rationally.

“Justice is not afraid of confrontation with injustice. No one should question the ability and will of the People’s Republic of China to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests. China’s effort to retake Taiwan is an indispensable and just sacred cause for making abnormalities normality, making injustice justice and making instability stability… Taiwan’s return to China is a matter of time.”

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Russia, socialist countries greet China’s 77th National Day

Leaders of socialist and progressive countries have extended their greetings to the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of its 77th national day, which fell on October 1st.

In his message of greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote that:

“Under your leadership, China is achieving impressive success in the socioeconomic, scientific, and technological spheres and making a significant contribution to addressing key regional and global issues.”

He added that: “I am confident that our meeting during the APEC summit in Shenzhen this November will be productive and will contribute to further strengthening the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China.”

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko wrote to Xi Jinping: “Under your leadership, China is confidently advancing toward the comprehensive rejuvenation of the great Chinese nation, demonstrating impressive achievements in developing new quality productive forces, strengthening technological sovereignty and modernizing its economy.”

Ahead of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Aleksandr Lukashenko renewed his invitation to Xi Jinping to pay an official visit to Belarus next year. “Your visit would give special significance to the anniversary and mark the starting point for a new stage in Belarus-China relations.”

The leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un wrote to his Chinese counterpart: “Since the founding of new China, the wise and diligent Chinese people have made world-startling progress in the whole realms of the development of the state and built a modern socialist China, weathering through all challenges and trials of history by dint of perseverance and united efforts.

“The noteworthy successes, being achieved in recent years in the fresh course of realizing the socialist ideology of the new era with the Chinese characteristics on a full scale in response to the spirit of the 20th Congress of the Party, enhance the country’s overall national power and international position and, at the same time, clearly show that nothing can check the Chinese people’s cause of building a powerful country and promoting the national prosperity.

“We are sincerely rejoiced over the achievements made in our socialist neighbor, and are convinced that the Chinese people will surely achieve the great prosperity of the Chinese nation under the correct leadership of the Communist Party of China with esteemed Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping as its core.”

He added that: “The history of the DPRK-China friendship, which was forged at the cost of blood and has been carried forward with genuine comradely friendship, can never be shaken no matter how the international situation may change, and it is the steadfast will of our Party and government to steadily develop the traditional relations of unity and cooperation with socialism, the common ideal, common banner and common cause, as the core.”

Additionally, DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui wrote to her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, noting that through the historic Pyongyang meeting and talks in June, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries reconfirmed the steadfast will to build a beautiful future of the two peoples together on the road of struggle for socialism.

The DPRK Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries and the DPRK-China Friendship Association hosted a reception on September 29.

Speakers noted that the Chinese people have brought about world-startling miracles and changes, braving all challenges and trials, closely united around the Communist Party of China for the past 77 years since the founding of the new China.

They expressed the belief that the traditional DPRK-China friendship would, in the future, too, grow stronger in response to the requirements of the times, saying that it is the steadfast stand of the parties and governments of the two countries to strengthen and develop the friendly relations between the DPRK and China.

A reception was also hosted by Wang Yajun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK. Kim Hyong Sik, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK said that the founding of the People’s Republic of China is an epochal event that opened up a new phase in shaping the destiny of the Chinese people and laid a firm foundation for them to proudly emerge in the world arena and achieve the prosperity of the Chinese nation.

He expressed the will to make joint efforts, together with the Chinese comrades, to promote exchange and cooperation in all fields and consolidate the DPRK-China friendship in the interests of the peoples of the two countries, true to the spirit of the important agreement between the top leaders of the two parties and two countries.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, President of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, and Standing Member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu wrote to General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President Xi Jinping, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji, and Cai Qi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chief of the CPC Central Committee’s Office.

They expressed their belief that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, with General Secretary and President Xi at its core, China will successfully achieve its goal of building a strong, prosperous, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful modern socialist country, while making positive contributions to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

The Vietnamese Party and State always consider the consolidation and development of a friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation with China a consistent policy, a strategic choice and a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy, they said, affirming Vietnam’s readiness to work with Chinese Party and State leaders to maintain regular exchanges and strengthen strategic guidance.

Additionally, Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), sent a congratulatory message to Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

In the message, Hoai expressed her delight that under the wise leadership of the CPC, with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping at the core, the Chinese people have achieved tremendous accomplishments in the cause of reform and opening up and the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics, with the National Committee of the CPPCC making important contributions to these achievements.

“We wish to work together with the National Committee of the CPPCC to further deepen cooperation between the two organisations in the time ahead, with a focus on promoting high-level and multi-level delegation exchanges and enhancing communications and education among people from all walks of life, particularly younger generations, on the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and China.”

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh attended and addressed a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

She extended her warm congratulations on the major achievements attained by the Communist Party of China, the Chinese state and people over 77 years of national development.

In particular, over the past decade, under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping at its core, China has successfully built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, bringing greater prosperity and happiness to its people. The country has continued to grow in strength and stature and has played an increasingly important role in global security, development, civilisation and governance.

Wang Qun, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, said bilateral relations are currently enjoying a very positive period of development. He affirmed that, as the two countries enter a new historical starting point, China stands ready to work alongside Vietnam and continue its efforts to support the industrialisation, modernisation and socialist development of both countries.

Additionally, Vietnamese and Chinese artists shared the stage at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi on October 1 for a vibrant celebration of friendship through music. The concert was jointly hosted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security and the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam and staged by the Ho Guom Opera and China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts.

The evening closed with Do Nhuan’s “Vietnam–China”, bringing together Vietnamese and Chinese soloists, the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra and the choirs in a powerful finale. Singer Truong Linh said he was honoured to perform alongside artists from both countries, describing the concert as a meaningful opportunity to showcase Vietnam’s cultural identity while discovering more about Chinese music and culture.

Celebrations were also held in the two countries’ border areas. Vietnam’s Nhân Dân newspaper noted: “Viet Nam and China are friendly neighbouring countries, with mountains and rivers connected. The friendship painstakingly cultivated by generations of leaders of the two countries is a precious asset shared by the two parties, two states, and peoples of the two countries.”

It added that: “In the coming period, under the strategic guidance of the senior leaders of the two parties and two states, Quang Ninh City and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region will continue to make effective use of exchange and dialogue mechanisms and translate signed agreements and cooperation arrangements into concrete actions. This will contribute to strengthening friendship between the border localities and building the Viet Nam-China Community with a Shared Future with a higher level of strategic significance in the new era.”

General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) Thongloun Sisoulith also sent congratulations to President Xi Jinping.

President Thongloun noted that the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949 marked an important turning point in the country’s development and its pursuit of socialism with Chinese characteristics. He said Laos viewed China’s development achievements as an encouragement for its own efforts in national defence, construction and development.

The Lao leader also expressed appreciation to the Party, Government and people of China for their support and assistance to Laos over the years, including during the country’s current national development efforts.

He wished the Chinese people continued success in building a modern socialist country with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and conveyed his best wishes to President Xi for good health, happiness and success in his duties.

On social media, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez wrote: “On the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, we extend our warm congratulations to Comrade Xi Jinping, to the Party, to the Government, and to the Chinese people. We express our gratitude for the steadfast solidarity with Cuba, grounded in mutual cooperation and solidarity.”

The Telesur news agency added: “This week, Beijing’s ambassador to Havana, Hua Xin, said that his country and Cuba are ‘a community with a shared future’ and stressed that the Asian nation has consolidated itself as the island’s ‘main trading partner.’ He reiterated that China ‘does not stand idly by in the face of the difficulties faced by the Cuban people’ and highlighted the Asian giant’s contributions to ‘the energy and food sectors’ amid the severe crisis affecting Cuba… China has provided Cuba with two donations of photovoltaic panels totaling 5,000 home solar systems, which have been installed in different parts of the country to provide electricity to homes in rural areas. In addition, Beijing will complete a donation of 60,000 tons of rice this year.”

Telesur also reported that Venezuela congratulated China on its National Day, recognising the achievements of the Chinese people and reaffirming bilateral friendship, cooperation and strategic partnership.

The statement of the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela said that: “On this day of profound historical significance for the Chinese nation, Venezuela recognizes the important achievements of the Chinese people while reaffirming the bonds of friendship, cooperation and strategic partnership that unite our two countries. Venezuela wishes the Chinese people well-being and prosperity, as well as the continued strengthening of the fraternal friendship between our two nations.”

Continue reading Russia, socialist countries greet China’s 77th National Day

Kim Jong Un: we will always join hands with the Chinese comrades

Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un sent a reply letter on September 12 to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in response to his letter sent on the occasion of the 78th founding anniversary of the DPRK on September 9.

Kim Jong Un wrote: “Your warm congratulations and best wishes serve as great strength and encouragement to all the members of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the DPRK people who are making all-out efforts to usher in a new era of comprehensive national rejuvenation, regarding socialism as their faith.

“We will always join hands with the Chinese comrades in the course of firmly defending and advancing the common cause of socialism and better cultivating, strengthening and developing the traditional DPRK-China relations of friendship and cooperation in conformity with the requirements of the new era and the aspirations and wishes of the peoples of the two countries.”

On September 8, the DPRK embassy in Beijing hosted a reception to mark their national day. It was attended by Peng Qinghua, vice-chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC), along with representatives of numerous Chinese departments and organisations.

In his speech Ambassador Ri Ryong Nam said that the 78 year-long history of the DPRK is the proud course of victory in which it has dynamically advanced for building a powerful socialist country despite all trials and difficulties under the outstanding leadership of President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and respected Comrade Kim Jong Un.

He said that the Workers’ Party of Korea and the DPRK government would as ever invariably and firmly support the Chinese people in their struggle for defending the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era and the country’s national sovereignty, security, development and interests under the leadership of the Communist Party of China with Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping as its core.

Peng Qinghua extended warm congratulations on behalf of the Chinese party, government and people to the Korean party, government and people, saying that after the founding of the DPRK the Korean people embarked on the road of independent development and have dynamically advanced the socialist cause and changed the appearance of the state by waging a ceaseless struggle for 78 years.

No matter how the international situation may change, the Chinese party and government remains unchanged in its firm stand of attaching great importance to the China-DPRK friendship and also in its steadfast determination to firmly support the socialist cause of the DPRK led by General Secretary Kim Jong Un, defend the common interests of the two countries and preserve the excellent strategic environment, he stressed.

Meanwhile the General Association of Koreans in China (GAKC) and other organisations of the Korean community held celebrations on September 8 and 9 to mark their national day. They included placing flower baskets at the statue of President Kim Il Sung at Yuwen Middle School in Jilin and study tours of anti-Japanese revolutionary battle sites, where Chinese and Korean comrades fought shoulder-to-shoulder, in the three northeastern provinces of China. Kim Il Sung, the founder of the DPRK, studied at the Yuwen Middle School in his teenage years and his time there formed an important part of his early revolutionary activities. The school is also associated with a number of key figures in the Chinese revolution, including Guo Moro, Chu Tunan, and Shang Yue, who taught there, and Peng Huanwu and Ma Zongjin, who studied there.

Continue reading Kim Jong Un: we will always join hands with the Chinese comrades

Xi Jinping greets DPRK national day

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) celebrated its 78th national day on September 9.

Marking the occasion, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, extended congratulations to his DPRK counterpart Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK.

Xi pointed out that over the past 78 years, under the leadership of the WPK, the DPRK people have achieved vigorous development in various fields of socialist construction through self-reliance, unity and hard work. In recent years in particular, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, the WPK and the DPRK people have made every effort to advance economic and social development, scoring a series of development achievements to China’s heartfelt delight.

China and the DPRK are friendly socialist neighbours who stand by each other and share weal and woe, Xi said, stressing that it is an unswerving policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to preserve, consolidate and develop China-DPRK relations.

Xi said that he stands ready to work together with Kim to continue strengthening the strategic guidance of relations between the two parties and the two countries, jointly promote the development of their respective party and state causes, continuously improve the well-being of the two peoples and deepen their friendship, so as to make greater contributions to promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world at large.

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Chinese People’s Volunteers remembered

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) marked the 73rd anniversary of victory in the Fatherland Liberation War on July 27, the day in 1953 when US imperialism was forced to sign the armistice agreement after three years of genocidal war, with a wide range of celebrations and commemorative events.

Among them, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports that, on July 26, DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un visited the Cemetery of the Fallen Soldiers of the Chinese People’s Volunteers in Hoechang County of South Phyongan Province and paid high tribute to them.

Following the main commemoration, he visited the grave of Mao Anying, placed a flower there and paid homage. Mao Anying was the son of Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

KCNA commented that: “The ennobling soul and self-sacrificing spirit of the brave CPV soldiers, who shed their blood to assist the DPRK people in the war of justice in the most difficult and fateful years, are clearly associated with the victory won by the DPRK people and they are shining as the foundation for the DPRK-China friendship with socialism as its core.

“The DPRK people will never forget the merits and heroic feats of the excellent sons and daughters of the Chinese people who unsparingly dedicated their hot blood and precious lives, fighting shoulder to shoulder with our army and people in the same trench of the unprecedented death-defying struggle for repelling the imperialists’ invasion.”

The following day, Kim Jong Un attended an art performance to mark the anniversary together with war veterans and persons of wartime merits, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee and other senior officials of the Party, government and armed forces organs, officials of the WPK Central Committee, leading officials of ministries and national agencies, service personnel of the People’s Army, officials and lecturers engaged in the administration of revolutionary relics associated with the victorious war, Pyongyang citizens including descendants of war heroes, students of revolutionary schools and other youth and students, as well as diplomats from the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation.

KCNA reported that: “The audience were deeply touched by videos showing the matchless self-sacrificing spirit, heroism and brilliant feats of excellent sons and daughters of the Chinese people who shared life and death, fighting shoulder to shoulder with our people in the same trench of the struggle of repelling the invasion of the imperialists, and Chinese songs such as ‘Battle Song of Chinese People’s Volunteers’.

“The performers artistically and superbly depicted the DPRK people’s eternal thanks to the brave fighters of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, who assisted our people in their sacred and righteous war under the uplifted banner of resisting America and aiding Korea even in the difficult days of building the country and made an important contribution to the war victory and the defence of global peace and security, and the truth that the DPRK-China friendship based on the shared ideal and militant fraternity will be immortal along with the history of the great war victory.”

Continue reading Chinese People’s Volunteers remembered

DPRK’s solidarity with China and Cuba has socialism as the core

The following is the text of a speech given by Keith Bennett to a recent public meeting on the theme of ‘The Importance of Solidarity with the DPRK and its People in Today’s Global Situation’.

Keith concentrates his remarks on two aspects of this question. First, the recent developments in the comradely relations between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China, which Kim Jong Un stresses have socialism as their core, as illustrated by Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s state visit to the DPRK in June 2026 and subsequently by Kim Jong Un’s greetings on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

Second, Keith analyses a 1968 article written by DPRK founding leader Kim Il Sung marking the first anniversary of the death of Che Guevara, noting in particular its continuing relevance to understanding the vital need to defend the Cuban revolution and its relationship to the situation in Latin America as a whole.

Continue reading DPRK’s solidarity with China and Cuba has socialism as the core

Wang Huning visits DPRK to mark treaty anniversary

A party and government delegation of the People’s Republic of China led by 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), paid an official goodwill visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on July 15-17 at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the government of the DPRK and attended the celebrations of the 65th anniversary of the conclusion of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. The visit was reciprocal to the July 10-12 China visit by a DPRK party and government delegation led by Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK, vice-president of the DPRK State Affairs Commission and premier of the DPRK Cabinet. The exchange of high-level delegations to mark the treaty anniversary was confirmed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping along with his DPRK counterpart Kim Jong Un during the former’s state visit to the DPRK, June 8-9.

Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the WPK and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK, met with Wang Huning and his delegation on July 16.

Noting that the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, an inter-state treaty which defines the strategic character of the bilateral relations and advances its strategic direction, has played an important role in defending the basic interests of the two countries and ensuring regional and global peace and security, Kim Jong Un said that it is the steadfast policy of the WPK and the DPRK government to more vigorously develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations with socialism as the core in several fields on the basis of the spirit of the treaty and in line with the requirement of the changing times and the aspiration and desire of the two peoples.

He further affirmed that the WPK and the DPRK government would as ever support the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics in the new era led by Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping, sincerely hoping that the Chinese people, who significantly celebrated the 105th anniversary of the foundation of the CPC, would make greater achievements in the historic course of comprehensively building a modern socialist power and achieving the great prosperity of the Chinese nation under the leadership of the CPC.

On the same day, a reception was given at the Yanggakdo International Hotel to mark the 65th anniversary of the conclusion of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.

Pak Thae Song made a welcoming speech. He said that the DPRK-China friendship has entered a new stage of development in various fields under the direct guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, expressing the steadfast stand of the WPK and the DPRK government to steadily develop the friendly and cooperative relations with socialism as the core.

He further expressed the will to firmly join hands with the Chinese comrades as ever in the course of actively promoting the coprosperity and new development of friendship of the two countries, opposing hegemonism and victoriously advancing the socialist cause.

For his part, Wang Huning said it is a vivid feature of the relations between China and the DPRK that they support and cooperate with each other, share destiny and protect and help each other, adding that Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping and Comrade General Secretary Kim Jong Un met seven times to lead the traditional China-DPRK friendship to open a new chapter of history.

He added that the firm stand of the Chinese party and government placing great importance on China-DPRK friendship will remain unchanged and the firm support for the cause of Korean socialism led by Comrade General Secretary Kim Jong Un will never be changed, adding that the Chinese side will, together with the DPRK side, hold aloft the banner of socialism and ensure that the baton of China-DPRK friendship is handed down through generations.

On the previous day, Wang held talks with Jo Yong Won, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK.

Jo Yong Won said that the ever-changing present international political situation has required the two countries to further strengthen the militant unity, support and solidarity and steadily intensify and develop the friendly and cooperative relations for the victorious advance of the common cause of socialism in conformity with the basic spirit of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. And he expressed the stand to expand and develop the bilateral relations in a many-sided way while maintaining close strategic communications and tactical cooperation between the two parties and two countries.

Wang Huning said that the conclusion of the treaty between China and the DPRK laid a legal foundation to consolidate the militant friendship formed at the cost of blood, stressing that it is an important common understanding of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries to splendidly mark the 65th anniversary of the conclusion of the treaty.

On the same day, Wang paid tribute to the martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army at Pyongyang’s Friendship Tower and wrote in the visitor’s book, “Let Us Glorify the Traditional Friendship by Inheriting the Intention of Martyrs”.

The next day he also visited the Chinese People’s Volunteers cemetery in the Sunan district of Pyongyang municipality.

He also visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to pay high respects to former DPRK leaders President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il as well as visiting the WPK’s Central Cadre Training School.

On July 17, accompanied by Jo Yong Won, Wang Huning visited the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourism area.

Commenting on the resort, which was officially opened on July 1, 2025, Wang Huning said it amazed him that the DPRK built in a short span of time the tourist area where the splendid structures harmonise with the natural landscape in a unique way and which has been landscaped on a high level, adding that such wonderful facilities for the people are the embodiment and manifestation of the people-first principle of the WPK.

Concluding their visit, Wang Huning and his delegation departed for home from the Wonsan Kalma Airport.

Continue reading Wang Huning visits DPRK to mark treaty anniversary

China and DPRK strengthen historic relations with socialism at the core on treaty anniversary

The China-DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance was signed on July 11, 1961, by then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and DPRK Premier Kim Il Sung. It remains the only such treaty between China and another country. This year, both countries have taken the treaty’s 65th anniversary as a major occasion to reaffirm their continued solidarity and friendship with socialism at the core in the new era.

The top leaders of the two countries, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un, exchanged messages marking the anniversary.

In his message, Xi said that in 1961, the older generations of leaders of China and the DPRK signed the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, laying an important political and legal foundation for consolidating the friendship forged in blood between the two peoples.

The treaty has played an important role in carrying forward China-DPRK friendship and safeguarding peace and stability in the region and beyond, he said.

Xi pointed to his successful state visit to the DPRK in June, when he reached important consensus with Kim on consolidating and carrying forward the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK and enriching it with new dimensions, providing strategic guidance and a new blueprint for the development of China-DPRK relations in the new era.

No matter how the international landscape evolves, the firm position of China’s Party and government to attach great importance to the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK will remain unchanged; the firm support for Kim in leading the DPRK’s socialist cause will remain unchanged; and the determination to safeguard the common interests of both sides and maintain a favourable strategic environment will remain unchanged, Xi emphasised.

For his part, Kim said the two sides signed the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance 65 years ago, laying a solid legal foundation for the enduring development of the fighting friendship and unity of mutual assistance and cooperation between the DPRK and China, forged in the bloody struggle for independence against imperialism and for the great cause of peace and socialism.

Over the past period, through all the vicissitudes of history, the DPRK and China have stood by each other with unwavering support and close cooperation, fully demonstrating to the world the everlasting and unbreakable nature of their friendship — a relationship that is special in terms of traditional bonds, shared socialist cause, and firm commitment to carrying it forward from generation to generation.

It is the unwavering position of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the DPRK government to advance the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and China, with socialism at its core, to keep pace with the changes of the times and the aspirations of the two peoples and to achieve more dynamic development in all fields, he added, and in conclusion noted:

“I am ready to develop the DPRK-China friendship with good history and tradition as its foundation into a model of the most powerful and strategic relations between socialist countries by guiding it to a new height, together with you, Comrade General Secretary.

“I hope that the Chinese people, who significantly celebrated the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC with a proud history of development, will make bigger epoch-making successes in accomplishing the gigantic cause of comprehensively building a modern and powerful socialist country and achieving the great prosperity of the Chinese nation under the leadership of the CPC with you, Comrade General Secretary, as its core.”

At the invitation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the government of the People’s Republic of China, a party and government delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea led by Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, vice-president of the DPRK State Affairs Commission and premier of the DPRK Cabinet, paid an official visit to China and took part in the event marking the 65th anniversary of the conclusion of the treaty from July 10-12.

On the afternoon of July 10, President Xi Jinping met with Pak Thae Song at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping noted that last month, I paid a state visit to the DPRK, during which General Secretary Kim Jong Un and I provided the strategic guidance for consolidating and growing the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK and continuously enriching it in keeping with the times. The China-DPRK relations have always been defined by lasting friendship, sharing weal and woe and mutual help. The China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance laid important political and legal foundations for cementing the friendship forged by our peoples in struggle and blood. General Secretary Kim Jong Un and I agreed that we should take the joint and grand commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Treaty as an opportunity to always bear in mind the original aspiration and mission of the older generations of leaders of the two parties and countries and encourage the two peoples to carry forward our traditional friendship, so that our bilateral relations will continue to thrive in the new historical period.

Both China and the DPRK should maintain firm strategic resolve, enhance strategic confidence, accelerate the implementation of the consensus reached between me and General Secretary Kim Jong Un, and ensure that the relations between our two parties and countries keep pace with the times and continue to develop in a direction that serves our respective socialist cause and modernisation. We should steadily advance practical cooperation, build greater public support, and make good use of our shared revolutionary history and resources, so that young people of both countries can remember the historic contributions of the Chinese People’s Volunteers and the great China-DPRK friendship can be passed down through generations.

Premier Pak Thae Song first conveyed warm greetings from General Secretary Kim Jong Un to General Secretary Xi Jinping, noting that on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, General Secretary Kim Jong Un wishes General Secretary Xi Jinping new and continuous achievements in the lofty cause of leading the CPC and the Chinese people.

Pak further extended warm congratulations on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC and on General Secretary Xi Jinping leading the Chinese people in achieving remarkable development accomplishments. General Secretary Xi’s first overseas visit this year was to the DPRK, and the top leaders of the two parties and countries had a historic meeting, setting a new milestone in bilateral relations and further consolidating public support for DPRK-China friendship. Guided by the spirit of the Treaty, the two countries have supported each other, jointly advanced the cause of socialism, and worked hand in hand to safeguard regional and world peace. The solemn commemorative activities held by the two countries for the Treaty’s 65th anniversary once again demonstrated that DPRK-China friendship has withstood the test of changing international circumstances and is of great strategic significance. General Secretary Kim Jong Un gave the instruction of developing DPRK-China relations into the strongest strategic relationship. The DPRK side will resolutely implement the important consensus between the top leaders of the two parties and countries, firmly support China in safeguarding its core interests on issues such as the Taiwan question, and make every effort to bring DPRK-China solidarity, friendship, and the socialist cause of the two countries to a new and higher level.

Under the deep care of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, the events for marking the anniversary of the conclusion of treaty are to be held with splendour this year, strikingly demonstrating once again the strategic character of the DPRK-China friendship, the premier noted, saying that the DPRK would as ever do its best to actively promote the revolutionary unity, the co-prosperity and development and the socialist cause of the two countries at a new high stage as required by the new era.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also held talks with his DPRK counterpart on the same day.

Noting that China and the DPRK are friendly neighbours with a shared future and mutual support, Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that it has always been the unwavering policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to maintain, consolidate and develop China-DPRK relations.

He said China stands ready to work with the DPRK to act on the important common understandings of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, continue to uphold the spirit of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, intensify high-level exchanges, consolidate political mutual trust and expand practical cooperation.

China is ready to align development strategies with the DPRK, steadily expand economic and trade exchanges, promote connectivity, deepen cooperation in people’s livelihood sectors including healthcare and education, and improve the well-being of the two peoples. He also called for carrying forward the China-DPRK traditional friendship and strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Pak Thae Song said that the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance is a firm political and legal guarantee for dynamically promoting the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, adding that the complicated international political situation requires the two parties and two countries to continue to give full play to the spirit of the treaty with defending the unity, cooperation and common interests for the victorious advance of the socialist cause as the core.

Noting that the DPRK-China friendly relations have reached a new high level thanks to the direct interest and wise leadership of Comrade Kim Jong Un and Comrade Xi Jinping, he stressed that the DPRK would make positive efforts to steadily strengthen the DPRK-China friendship and solidarity, true to the noble intention of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries.

A ceremony was also held at the Great Hall of the People to welcome the Party and government delegation of the DPRK and Premier Pak Thae Song, reviewed the guard of honour of the People’s Liberation Army.

Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee met with Pak and his delegation on July 10.

At the meeting, Zhao pointed out that the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries is the greatest strength and fundamental guarantee of bilateral relations.

He said that China is willing to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders, carry forward traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance exchanges among legislative bodies, share experience in governing the Party and the country, and promote a greater development of bilateral relations.

The meeting expressed the will to successfully implement the important common understanding reached between the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, add lustre to the traditional friendship, strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation and deepen exchange and cooperation between legislative bodies so as to promote greater development in the DPRK-China relations.

Senior CPC leader Cai Qi and Pak Thae Song attended and delivered speeches at the reception commemorating the 65th anniversary of the treaty signing on July 10.

Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, said China stands ready to work with the DPRK to take the important consensus reached by the two leaders as the fundamental guideline and strategic orientation, carry forward the traditional friendship, and strive to elevate the socialist causes and traditional friendly cooperative relations of the two countries to new heights.

In his speech, Pak said:

“During the historic Pyongyang summit in June, Comrade Kim Jong Un and Comrade Xi Jinping discussed the issues of strengthening the strategic coordination and cooperation between the two parties and two countries, firmly safeguarding the sovereignty, security and development interests of the two countries and jointly defending peace and development in the region and the world and reached a consensus of views on them.”

Pak and his delegation also laid a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes in Tiananmen Square. The participants paid tribute to the memory of the heroes who fought for the freedom and liberation of the Chinese people.

They also visited various places in Beijing and Tianjin, including the Museum of the Communist Party of China. Pak Thae Song made an entry in the visitor’s book, hoping that the Chinese people continue to achieve fresh successes in building a modern socialist country under the leadership of the CPC. Among other places visited was the Green Low-Carbon Circular Economy Demonstration Base of the China Resources Recycling Group Co. Ltd. in Tianjin Municipality.

Concluding his official visit to the PRC on July 12, Pak addressed a message of thanks to Premier Li Qiang.

The message expressed deep thanks to General Secretary Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, Chairman Zhao Leji, the Chinese Party and government and the fraternal Chinese people for warmly greeting and according sincere hospitality to the Party and government delegation of the DPRK.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the two countries also extended greetings on the treaty anniversary.

The message to DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said that for 65 years both sides have trusted and supported with each other, making positive contributions to providing happiness for the peoples of the two countries and ensuring regional peace and stability. The message expressed the will to resolutely implement the important shared understanding of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries and make steady efforts to consolidate and develop the traditional China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations.

For her part, Choe Son Hui expressed the will to further strengthen communication and cooperation in the diplomatic field in order to develop the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries into the model of the most powerful and strategic relations between socialist states, true to the noble intention of the top leaders of the two countries, and wished the DPRK-China friendship steady strengthening and the People’s Republic of China prosperity.

Continue reading China and DPRK strengthen historic relations with socialism at the core on treaty anniversary

Asian socialist countries greet CPC’s 105th anniversary

China’s socialist neighbours, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic have extended their warm comradely greetings on the July 1st 105th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

In his letter to Comrade Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China, Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, writes:

“The Communist Party of China built new China, where the people became the masters, by guiding them, and wrote a brilliant chapter in the history of the Chinese nation by vigorously promoting the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, braving all trials and difficulties of history.

“There is no new China without the Communist Party. This is the truth the Chinese people have realised while advancing under its guidance for many years.” [Kim Jong Un here refers to one of the most famous songs of the Chinese revolution. You can listen to it, together with historic footage, here.]

The Korean leader added: “It is the steadfast stand of our Party and government to steadily develop the DPRK-China friendly relations with long and historical roots and with socialism as their core.

“The recent Pyongyang summit was a historic occasion of deepening the comradely friendship and trust between us and reconfirming the unshakable will to more dynamically promote socialist construction in the two countries and their traditional friendly relations…

“I am ready to add shine to socialism, the common cause of the two parties, and continue to develop the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations, the common wealth of the peoples of the two countries, as required by the times, together with you.”

Additionally, the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea sent a floral basket to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the occasion.

Marking the anniversary, Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wang Yajun hosted a reception on June 30.

He said that after its founding the Communist Party of China united and led the people to build a new China where the people became masters and provide fundamental conditions for the great prosperity of the Chinese nation and rendered services to the development and progress of humanity.

He expressed the conviction that the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) would be strong and steady all the more and make new greater successes in accomplishing the socialist cause of Korea under the wise leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Un who carried forward and developed the party-building idea of Comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and thus presented the five-point party-building line of the new era and ushered in the heyday of strengthening the whole Party.

Responding, Kim Song Nam, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and who heads its International Department, said that the DPRK-China friendship has been developed onto a new height on the basis of the deep friendly relations between the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un and the respected General Secretary Xi Jinping and stressed that the leaders of the two parties expressed their steadfast will to develop the traditional friendly relations between the two countries into the most powerful and strategic model relations between socialist states during their historic meeting in Pyongyang this year.

Earlier, there was a roundtable talk at the Chinese embassy to exchange the experiences of the DPRK and China in party building on the occasion.

The congratulatory letter from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) to its Chinese counterpart noted that in recent years, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping as its core, the Chinese people have successfully achieved the first centenary goal, fulfilled the major targets and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, and laid a solid foundation for achieving the second centenary goal.

The CPV expressed confidence that the CPC will continue to lead the Chinese people in successfully implementing the Resolution of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, preparing for a successful 21st Congress, and achieving the second centenary goal of building China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, civilised, harmonious and beautiful.

The Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) wrote in its congratulatory message:

“Over the past 105 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have achieved remarkable accomplishments in the pursuit of national independence, founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949, launched the reform and opening-up policy in 1978, and, under successive generations of the Party’s central leadership, have steadily advanced socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

It continued: “The Party, State and people of Laos warmly congratulate the Party, Government and people of China on the great achievements they have made over the past 105 years. We firmly believe that, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Chinese people will continue to make new and greater achievements in realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, attain the Second Centenary Goal, and build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects…

“The Party, State and people of Laos reaffirm their firm commitment to working together with the Party, Government and people of China to preserve, consolidate and further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two countries, jointly advance the building of a Laos-China community with a shared future, contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity, and promote peace, stability, fairness, justice and development cooperation in the region and beyond.

“On this auspicious occasion, we sincerely wish the Communist Party of China new and even greater achievements in advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era and in building China into a strong, prosperous, modern and culturally advanced socialist country.”

Continue reading Asian socialist countries greet CPC’s 105th anniversary

Leaders of friendly countries celebrate Xi Jinping’s birthday

Leaders of a number of friendly countries have sent greetings to Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President of the People’s Republic of China, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday, which fell on June 15.

Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a congratulatory verbal message and a flower basket to his Chinese counterpart. He sincerely wished Xi good health and greater success in leading the cause of socialist construction in China as the leading core of the CPC.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote: “Under your leadership, the People’s Republic of China has achieved impressive progress in economic, social, scientific and technological development, while steadily strengthening its standing on the international stage. You rightly enjoy great respect and authority both among your fellow citizens and abroad.”

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko wrote: “A modernising and prosperous China today sets the highest standards of global leadership. This is largely the result of your farsighted leadership, your consistent policy of strengthening statehood, and the country’s steady social and economic progress. Your contribution to expanding international cooperation and maintaining global stability is also difficult to overestimate.”

Continue reading Leaders of friendly countries celebrate Xi Jinping’s birthday

Complete success of Xi Jinping’s visit takes relations with DPRK to new height

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President of the People’s Republic of China, paid a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), from June 8-9 at the invitation of his DPRK counterpart Kim Jong Un.

Xi Jinping, together with his wife Peng Liyuan and his delegation, arrived at Pyongyang’s Sunan Airport at around noon where they were greeted by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that:

“The historic Pyongyang meeting between the top leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China was arranged again at a time when the traditional DPRK-China friendship, forged in the long journey for independence against imperialism, peace and the accomplishment of the socialist cause, weathering all hardships of the times, is being developed at a new strategic level.

“Comrade Xi Jinping’s visit to the DPRK in the significant year marking the 65th anniversary of the conclusion of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance serves as the important and meaningful one in developing the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations, the strategic option and valuable common asset of the two parties and the peoples of the two countries.”

A welcoming ceremony for the Chinese leader was held in Kim Il Sung Square in the heart of the DPRK capital.

As Xi Jinping and his wife arrived by car, a cavalry escort lined up to welcome them while the military band played welcoming tunes. Kim Jong Un and his wife greeted Xi Jinping and his wife at the square. Xi Jinping and his wife, along with Kim Jong Un and his wife, shook hands with their respective accompanying personnel. The top leaders of the two parties and two countries jointly ascended the review stand as the military bands played the national anthems of China and the DPRK, with a 21-gun salute. Accompanied by Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping inspected the honour guard of the three services of the Korean People’s Army. Guardsmen shouted in Korean, “Wish Comrade Xi Jinping good health”. Afterward, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un watched the march-past together.

En route from the airport to Kim Il Sung Square and then from Kim Il Sung Square to the Kumsusan State Guesthouse, where Xi Jinping stayed during his visit, people of the DPRK lined both sides of the streets, waving to welcome Xi’s arrival.

The two leaders held talks during the afternoon.

Xi Jinping noted that after seven years, he is very pleased to once again visit the beautiful city of Pyongyang and feels especially warm and familiar. He expressed his readiness to work with Comrade General Secretary to take this visit as an opportunity to strengthen top-level planning and strategic guidance for China-DPRK relations in the new era, promote bilateral relations advancing with the times and achieving greater progress, so as to better benefit the two countries and peoples, and make positive contributions to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world.

Xi stressed that China and the DPRK are both socialist countries led by communist parties. The traditional friendship between the two countries is rooted in their shared ideals and beliefs as well as their common goals, and is backed by a profound historical foundation, a solid political basis and strong emotional bonds. Friendship passed down from generation to generation, a shared future and mutual support have always been the defining features of China-DPRK relations. No matter how the international situation changes, the Chinese party and government’s firm stance on highly valuing China-DPRK traditional friendship will not change, the firm support for General Secretary Kim Jong Un in leading the DPRK’s socialist cause will not change, and the firm commitment to safeguarding the shared interests of the two countries and preserving a favorable strategic environment will not change.

Xi Jinping pointed out that, in the face of the profound changes unseen in a century that are accelerating across the world, the two sides should take a broad and long-term view, build on past achievements and open up a new future, draw wisdom from the development process of the relations between the two parties and the two countries, seize opportunities in the prevailing trend of human history, inject new contemporary connotations and strong impetus into the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, and open up a brighter prospect for the socialist cause of the two countries as well as regional peace and development.

Continue reading Complete success of Xi Jinping’s visit takes relations with DPRK to new height

Xi Jinping: The shared socialist ideal is the defining character of China-DPRK relations

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President of the People’s Republic of China, paid a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), from June 8-9 at the invitation of his DPRK counterpart Kim Jong Un.

Immediately prior to his arrival in the DPRK capital Pyongyang, Rodong Sinmun (Workers’ Newspaper), the central organ of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), published a signed article by Xi Jinping, entitled, ‘Carrying Forward the Past and Opening the Future, Forging Ahead Together – Writing a New Chapter in the Traditional China-DPRK Friendship’.

In the article, Xi states: “China and the DPRK are friendly socialist neighbours that watch over and help each other and share a common destiny. The traditional China-DPRK friendship is the shared precious treasure of the two parties, the two countries, and the people of the two countries. No matter how the times change or how the international situation shifts, the traditional China-DPRK friendship has always been unbreakable and grows stronger over time… Historically, the older generation of leaders of China and the DPRK knew one another intimately and were as close as can be. In recent years, I have met with General Secretary Kim Jong Un six times, maintained close strategic communication, and jointly drawn up the blueprint for the development of China-DPRK relations.”

He adds: “The shared socialist ideal is the defining character of China-DPRK relations. The Communist Party of China and the Workers’ Party of Korea are both Marxist ruling parties, and China and the DPRK are fellow travellers on the socialist road… The traditional friendship of shared destiny is the deep foundation of China-DPRK relations. In the turbulent years of fighting for national independence and national liberation, the people of China and the DPRK shared weal and woe, depended on each other in life and death, and forged a great fighting friendship with their blood. In the development of each country’s socialist cause, the two peoples have stood shoulder to shoulder, sharing comforts and hardships, vividly embodying the comradely friendship of mutual trust, solidarity, and mutual aid.”

Noting that, “in recent years, in the face of accelerating once-in-a-century changes in the world and an international situation entangled by change and turbulence, China and the DPRK have insisted on concentrating their energies on managing their own affairs well, forging ahead and striving unremittingly on the socialist road,” Xi draws attention to the important political events in the two countries this year, noting the commencement of China’s 15th Five Year Plan and the Workers’ Party of Korea’s convening of its ninth congress.

Looking forward, he suggests that China and the DPRK should:

  • Deepen strategic communication and firmly grasp the correct direction for the development of China-DPRK relations. “We must maintain the fine tradition of high-level exchanges between the two parties and two countries, visiting often and meeting each other like relatives.”
  • Strengthen exchanges and mutual learning and jointly push forward the steady and sustained advance of the two countries’ socialist cause. “We must hold firm to the path and be unchanged in our resolve, support each other in walking the socialist road that suits our own national conditions… firmly safeguard the political security of both countries… and lead the socialist cause of the two countries to keep moving from one victory to the next.”
  • Strengthen the alignment of the two countries’ development strategies, tap cooperation potential in all fields, share opportunities, and jointly promote development, so as to better benefit the people of both countries. “Through flexible and varied forms, we must keep friendly exchanges active, deepen mutual understanding, tighten emotional bonds, and pass the baton of China-DPRK friendship from generation to generation.”
  • Oppose hegemonism and power politics and oppose all schemes and acts that seek to revive militarism and that endanger regional security and stability… and join hands to push forward the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

In conclusion, Xi states that, “We stand ready to forge ahead and write a new chapter together with our DPRK comrades, so that the traditional China-DPRK friendship will shine with an even more brilliant contemporary lustre and make a greater contribution to promoting peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region and indeed across the world.”

Also on June 8, Rodong Sinmun carried an editorial welcoming the “goodwill mission of the Chinese people” headed by Xi.

It says that the visit, “serves as support and encouragement to our Party and people in the struggle for the comprehensive development of socialism.”

It writes that the relations between the DPRK and China, “are the invincible friendly relations closely united with comradely friendship and bloody ties in the protracted struggle to oppose foreign aggressors and build socialism.

“True to the intention of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung, the Korean revolutionaries helped the Chinese revolution with blood in the arduous anti-Japanese struggle. The Chinese people, too, regarded the Korean revolutionaries fighting for the national liberation as their own flesh and blood and rendered material and moral assistance to the Korean people in their struggle.

“The brilliant victories won by the Chinese people in the arduous revolutionary civil war and by the Korean people in the fierce Fatherland Liberation War would have been unthinkable without the fraternal friendship and class ties which have been steadily carried forward and consolidated between the revolutionaries, service personnel and peoples of the two countries.”

It concludes by stating that: “The Korean people sincerely hope that the Chinese people will achieve greater successes in the struggle for comprehensively building a modern and powerful socialist country, rallied close around the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, and firmly defend the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and interests for development.

“We will, in the future, too, join hands with the Chinese comrades on the road of advancing the socialist cause and defending peace and security in the region and the rest of the world.”

Continue reading Xi Jinping: The shared socialist ideal is the defining character of China-DPRK relations

Xi’s visit set to deepen China-DPRK ties

On June 5, the Xinhua News Agency and the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) both announced that at the invitation of Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Comrade Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China, will pay a state visit to the DPRK on June 8 and 9.

In a feature article previewing the visit, Xinhua noted that, “Xi’s upcoming visit, his first to the neighbouring country in seven years, is expected to draw a new blueprint for the development of relations between the two parties and the two countries, inject strong impetus into the joint cause of socialist construction, and make new contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity.”

It went on to note that in March 2018, the two leaders held their first meeting, during which they reached principled consensus on four aspects of developing China-DPRK relations in the new era. Xi and Kim met three times in less than 100 days that year, making history in high-level exchanges between China and the DPRK.

The two leaders also exchanged visits in the first half of 2019 and in September 2025, Kim made another visit to China. Since 2018, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries have held six meetings and maintained close communication in various forms, leading the China-DPRK relations to forge ahead in the new era.

Xinhua added: “This year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, making Xi’s upcoming visit to the DPRK even more important.”

The article noted that during his previous visit, Xi paid homage to the martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteers at the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang. Xi wrote in the inscription book, “To remember the martyrs” and “The China-DPRK friendship lasts from generation to generation.”

The traditional friendship between China and the DPRK was forged by the elder generation of leaders of the two parties and two countries, cemented in the revolutionary struggle, and continuously deepened in the course of socialist construction, Xi said in his exchange of New Year greeting messages with Kim in 2024.

During Xi’s visit to the DPRK in 2019, hundreds of thousands of residents in Pyongyang lined the streets to welcome the Chinese president, leading Xi to recall the occasion during his talks with Kim in Beijing last year, saying he could feel the family-like friendship between the two peoples all along the way.

This, Xinhua noted, finds its expression in the fact that “from economic and trade exchanges to education and sports cooperation, China-DPRK exchanges and cooperation in various fields continued to deepen and has grown ever more solid, bringing benefits to the peoples of both countries.”

The article concludes: “China-DPRK relations are vividly described in a Chinese song: ‘We share a great friendship; we share common ideals; which have united us with incomparable strength.’”

Continue reading Xi’s visit set to deepen China-DPRK ties

China and DPRK reject Quad moves to stoke tension in the Asia-Pacific

The foreign ministers of the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) met in the Indian capital New Delhi on May 26. This US-led body which also comprises Japan, Australia and India plays a provocative role in US imperialism’s attempts to encircle and contain China as well as other socialist countries and anti-imperialist forces in the Asia-Pacific region.

On May 27, the Xinhua News Agency released a commentary stressing the need to guard against what it called the Quad’s “bloc politics”, noting that its members had “again hyped maritime issues related to the East and South China Seas.”

It added: “In recent years, nearly every joint statement issued after Quad foreign ministers’ meetings has reiterated these themes. Yet such patronising rhetoric about safeguarding so-called ‘freedom of navigation’ cannot obscure the reality that the bloc itself has become a source of turbulence, fueling tensions and deepening confrontation in the region.

“At a time when most Asia-Pacific countries are focused on economic recovery and regional integration, the Quad appears to be moving in the opposite direction by unveiling a raft of new measures — a move widely seen as driven by a Cold War mentality aimed at containing China’s development.”

According to Xinhua: “While the Quad foreign ministers voiced concern over regional peace and stability, few will overlook the irony that the war against Iran launched by Washington is itself undermining supply-chain resilience across the Asia-Pacific.

“Regional economies such as India — also a Quad member — are already bearing the brunt of the resulting turmoil in global energy markets. In the meantime, the still-undecided date for the Quad leaders’ summit offers a glimpse into the grouping’s growing disarray.”

However, it warned that “the world should still stay vigilant against countries like Japan [attempting] to use this bloc as a cover to hype up groundless security concerns in the region for its own militarist agenda… What the region needs is cooperative frameworks that prioritise development, mutual trust and shared prosperity over ideological alignment and geopolitical calculation. The Quad should recognise that Asia’s future lies in cooperation, not confrontation.”

The following day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the answers given by a spokesperson for the foreign ministry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) regarding the meeting.

The spokesperson noted that the joint statement issued by the meeting “not only seriously distorted the immediate and urgent challenges and threats faced by the countries in the Asia-Pacific region but also clearly exposed the hostile intention against specific countries.

“Quad talked about the strengthening of cooperation while expressing ‘concern’ over the situation in the South Sea and East Sea of China. It is aimed at justifying Japan’s moves for rearmament and Australia’s possession of a nuclear submarine, which are arousing concern of the international community.”

They continued: “In particular, the US-led Quad members took issue with the DPRK’s legitimate exercise of sovereign rights, calling for ‘denuclearisation’. This goes to prove that Quad is nothing but a political and diplomatic tool serving the US strategy for unipolar domination… The Foreign Ministry of the DPRK resolutely denounces and rejects the US-led Quad’s hostile stand against the DPRK and other regional countries and strongly demands that it drop its attempt to escalate inter-camp confrontation destroying regional peace and stability.”

Continue reading China and DPRK reject Quad moves to stoke tension in the Asia-Pacific

Wang Yi visits DPRK

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), visited the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on April 9-10 at the invitation of his DPRK counterpart Choe Son Hui, who is Foreign Minister and also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).

In their talks on April 9, Wang said that in early September last year, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the WPK, held a historic meeting in Beijing, reaching important consensus on the overall, strategic and directional issues concerning bilateral ties.

Their meeting provides important strategic guidance for further developing China-DPRK relations, pushes bilateral ties into a new stage and opens a new chapter in friendly exchanges between the two countries, which is of great and far-reaching significance, Wang added.

The past year has witnessed a series of highlights in China-DPRK exchanges, which strongly demonstrated that the two countries’ traditional friendship forged in blood remains everlasting and unbreakable, the Chinese Foreign Minister said, noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. (The DPRK is the only country with which China has a treaty of this type.)

Over the past 65 years, Wang said, no matter how the international and regional situations have changed, China and the DPRK, as good neighbours, good friends and good comrades, have always trusted and supported each other, making unremitting efforts to maintain regional and world peace and stability and promote their respective development.

Wang added that China is willing to work with the DPRK side to hold commemorative events for the 65th anniversary of the signing of the treaty, strengthen high-level exchanges, enhance dialogue and practical cooperation at all levels and in various fields, deepen people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding, and contribute to their respective economic and social development.

For her part, Choe said that the DPRK-China friendship is based on the common socialist system and traditional friendship, describing bilateral relations as deep-rooted, solid and sustainable. It is the unwavering position of the WPK and the nation to advance DPRK-China friendship and cooperation following the trend of the times and the will of the two peoples.

The DPRK, Choe said, fully supports the one-China principle, firmly opposes any interference in China’s internal affairs, and resolutely supports China’s position on safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity concerning Taiwan, Xizang [Tibet], Xinjiang, and other issues of China’s core interests.

She also said that the DPRK side fully endorses the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four global initiatives proposed by Xi, and highly values China’s just position on and important role in international and regional affairs.

The DPRK government hosted a reception for Wang Yi and his delegation that evening.

In her speech, Choe Son Hui said that it is the consistent policy of the WPK and the DPRK government to value and steadily develop the friendly relations with China, which have given steady continuity to the good traditions of unity and cooperation with socialism as their core, overcoming all the tempests of history.

Continue reading Wang Yi visits DPRK

Xi Jinping exchanges messages with Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un was re-elected to the post of President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly on March 22.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to his DPRK counterpart on March 26, in which he wrote:

“The traditional China-DPRK friendship is a precious asset common to the two countries. It is the consistent and steadfast policy of the Chinese party and government to successfully defend, consolidate and develop the China-DPRK relations.”

In a reply message sent the following day, Kim Jong Un wrote that:

“I am pleased to note that the traditional DPRK-China relations are being put on a new high stage in keeping with the aspiration and desire of the two parties and the peoples of the two countries according to the important agreement reached at the meeting with you in September last year. Steadfast is the stand of our Party and government to continue to develop in depth the DPRK-China relations of friendship and cooperation with socialism as the core.”

The day following his re-election, Kim Jong Un delivered an important speech in which he began by: “Expressing my thanks to the Supreme People’s Assembly for entrusting me again with the sacred mission of representing the DPRK and guiding the overall work of the country, I solemnly pledge to make all sincere efforts to firmly defend the Constitution of our Republic and promote the prosperity and development of the State and the well-being of the people, bearing deep in mind the trust and expectations of all of you.”

In the course of a comprehensive and wide-ranging presentation the DPRK leader made some significant observations bearing on the present international situation, including the following:

“The past decade clearly showed that no objective conditions and circumstances can ever check the advance of a state and people that have turned out in the struggle to shape their future, rallied as one with a firm faith, and that the most correct road to prosperity is to achieve self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

“The hostile forces wanted us to make a different choice, preaching a payment for our giving up of nuclear weapons, but the present situation clearly proves how just the strategic option and decision of our State were in rejecting the enemy’s cajolery and perpetuating our nuclear possession so that it is irreversible…

“Thus, our State has ushered in a new era of achieving security and safeguarding peace with strength, not by any declaration or through any appeal.

Continue reading Xi Jinping exchanges messages with Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un says ties between China and DPRK will get closer advancing the common cause of socialism

General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Kim Jong Un sent a reply message to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on March 9, thanking him for his message of greetings on his reelection at the recent Ninth Congress of the WPK.

Kim described Xi’s message as “an expression of support and encouragement to me and all our Party members”, adding:

“It is the unshakable stand of our Party and the government of the Republic to continue to consolidate and develop the traditional DPRK-China friendship in conformity with the requirements of the new era and the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries.

 “I believe that the cooperation between the two parties and the two countries will get closer in the future on the road of advancing the common cause of socialism.”

At time of writing, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has also reported similar reply messages from Kim to To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

Meanwhile, on March 12, regular passenger train services were resumed between China and the DPRK.

Reporting this, China Daily noted that on March 10, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said that China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are friendly neighbours, and that maintaining regular passenger train operations is important for making travel between the two countries more convenient.

It added that according to China State Railway Group, international passenger train services between Beijing and Pyongyang will run four times a week in both directions — on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays — while services between Dandong in Liaoning province and Pyongyang will operate daily.

The Xinhua News Agency reported on the first service between Dandong and Pyongyang on March 12.

According to the report, Song Ping, a staff member with the Dandong exit-entry frontier inspection station, said authorities had introduced measures to ensure smooth clearance on the first day of operations. The inspection process for the entire train has been shortened to within 30 minutes.

Reporting the train’s arrival in Pyongyang, Xinhua said that the regular service would facilitate cross-border travel and boost economic, trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Regular passenger transport between China and the DPRK was suspended early in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular air links were restored in 2023.

The following articles were originally published by KCNA, China Daily and the Xinhua News Agency.

Continue reading Kim Jong Un says ties between China and DPRK will get closer advancing the common cause of socialism