Xi, Kim Say They Reached Important Agreements on China-North Korea Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a welcome banquet hosted by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after their summit in Pyongyang, with both sides saying the visit produced important agreements on bilateral ties.

In remarks at the banquet on June 8, Xi said the traditional friendship between China and North Korea had grown stronger over generations despite the test of rapidly changing international conditions, Xinhua News Agency reported.

He said this year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance and that relations between the two countries stand at a new historical starting point. Xi added that he and Kim had reached important agreements during the visit.

The two sides also shared the view that they should strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation and boost public ties to advance relations to a higher level.

In his own remarks, Kim said Xi’s visit to North Korea as his first overseas trip of the year showed how much Beijing values the development of ties between the two parties and the two countries. He also described it as highly valuable support for North Korea’s socialist cause.

Kim said the two leaders, meeting again after nine months, had reached important agreements on advancing China-North Korea relations with new significance under changing circumstances. They also broadly exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest.

Lee Jung-woo, Hankyung.com reporter, krse9059@hankyung.com