North Korea Affirms Commitment To Strengthen Relations With China

Zhao Leji (left), Chairman of the Standing Committee of the China National People's Congress and Choe Ryong Hae, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Highest People's Assembly of North Korea, in Pyongyang, North Korea, on April 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Highest People's Assembly of North Korea Choe Ryong-hae and Chairman of China's National People's Congress Zhao Leji affirmed the commitment of the two countries to strengthen friendship while commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China.

Choe emphasized that this "unwavering desire" will strengthen friendly relations and cooperation based on socialism, according to North Korea's official media report, KCNA, on Saturday

He also stressed that North Korea-China relations are invaluable, not only because the two countries are geographically close, but also because they have been forged by struggles for common purposes.

Meanwhile, Zhao said the China-North Korea friendship had rooted and lasted a long time in the midst of changing world situations.

Zhao, who arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday (11/4) for a three-day visit, was the first high-ranking Chinese official to visit North Korea since the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

North Korea continues trade on a limited basis with China, its longtime ally and biggest economic contributor, after opening parts of the border in August last year.

During his visit, Zhao is scheduled to meet North Korean leaderKim Jong Un.