SEOUL: Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged unwavering support for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a summit in Pyongyang on Monday, reaffirming Beijingâs commitment to protecting shared interests and strengthening strategic cooperation with its neighbour.
During talks with Kim, Xi said China would continue backing North Koreaâs leadership and remain committed to safeguarding the two countriesâ common interests, sovereignty, security and development goals.
âThe firm support for Comrade General Secretary Kim Jong Unâs leadership of the DPRK socialist cause will not change, and the firm determination to safeguard common interests and good strategic environment ⊠will not change,â Xi said, using the acronym for North Koreaâs official name, the Democratic Peopleâs Republic of Korea.
Xiâs visit, his first to North Korea in seven years and his first overseas trip of the year, comes as Pyongyang enjoys growing economic and military cooperation with Russia, developments that analysts say may strengthen Kimâs position internationally.
âI am deeply pleased and also feel a special sense of closeness,â Xi told Kim upon arriving in the North Korean capital.
The Chinese leader received a ceremonial welcome in Pyongyang, where Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, greeted him alongside an honour guard. State media footage showed children presenting flowers, while a 21-gun salute was fired at Kim Il Sung Square.
Describing bilateral relations as being at a ânew historical starting pointâ, Xi called for deeper cooperation across diplomacy, defence, trade and technology. He later said the two leaders had reached âimportant consensusâ during their discussions.
Xi also urged joint efforts to âoppose hegemony, authoritarianism and all attempts and conspiracies to revive militarism that endanger regional security and stabilityâ, according to remarks published by North Korean state media.
Analysts said the summit underscored the strategic importance of North Korea to China. Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies said the meeting demonstrated that Beijing continues to view Pyongyang as a valuable strategic partner. He noted that China, North Korea, Russia and Iran share an interest in countering US influence.
Relations between Beijing and Pyongyang have warmed since North Korea reopened border crossings with China following pandemic-era restrictions. Xi said both countries should use the restoration of cross-border links to expand people-to-people exchanges and broader cooperation.
Sydney Seiler of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said stronger ties between North Korea, Russia and China could affect how long Kim chooses to keep his distance from Washington and Seoul.
