North Korea Promises To Develop Relations With China

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (right) with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Reuters/KCNA)

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised to continue developing relations with China in his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Thursday, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Friday.

Kim said that it was a "strengthen of the Korean Workers' Party (WPK) and the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to consistently develop North Korea-China relations."

North Korea, according to Kim, would as usual, without change support and encourage China's attitude and efforts to "defense sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the interests of state development."

The meeting in Beijing on Thursday was the sixth bilateral meeting since 2018.

Kim highlighted China's strong technique in defending world peace and called the move a "clear demonstration" over Beijing's "significant international position and influence".

Xi in turn expressed his willingness to 'successfully maintain, strengthen and develop China-North Korea relations.'

Beijing, according to Xi as quoted by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, really appreciates friendship with North Korea.

No matter how the international landscape develops, this position will remain unchanged, Xi said, while pledging to support Pyongyang in a path of development that is in line with its national conditions.

The two leaders also discussed cooperation and increasing high-level visits as well as strategic communication between Beijing and Pyongyang.

China held its biggest military parade on Wednesday with 26 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim, to commemorate Japan's defeat which ended World War II in 1945.

North Korea's relations with Russia have been getting closer in recent years.

Kim held his fourth bilateral meeting with Putin in Beijing on Wednesday, declaring "full support" to Russia in the fight against Ukraine.

Kim's train left Beijing Train Station on Thursday night.