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| ▲ This image, published by the Korean Central News Agency on Sept. 4, 2025, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) holding the hands of Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of China's military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Sept. 3. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) |
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Kim, Xi reaffirm unchanging friendship in Beijing talks following apparent strain in ties
SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored their commitment to the two countries' constant friendship during their talks in Beijing, a report said Friday, amid joint efforts to reinforce bilateral ties seen as strained amid a deepening military alignment between the North and Russia.
Kim and Xi met bilaterally at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday, China's state Xinhua News Agency said, a day after the leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin jointly appeared at a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II -- in a show of their solidarity.
The talks came amid speculation that broadening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow might have put a strain on the traditional relations between China and the North as it could cause an erosion in Beijing's influence over Pyongyang.
Kim said that the friendship between the two countries will remain unchanged "no matter how the international landscape evolves," Xinhua said, as he stressed Pyongyang's "firm" commitment to continuously deepening and developing bilateral ties.
Xi said that the Communist Party of China and his government "highly" value the friendship between the two countries and are ready to maintain, consolidate and develop "sound" ties with the North, according to the news agency.
"China and the DPRK are good neighbors, good friends and good comrades who share a common destiny and stand by each other," Xi was quoted by Xinhua as saying. DPRK is short for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Touching on the Korean Peninsula issue, Xi said that China has maintained an "objective" and "impartial" stance and stands ready to continue strengthening coordination with the North in order to help maintain peace and stability on the peninsula, according to Xinhua.
He also called for joint efforts to enhance "strategic" coordination in international and regional affairs to safeguard the two countries "common interests."
"China is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communication, deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship with the DPRK," Xi was quoted as saying.
During the talks, Kim stressed Pyongyang's readiness to deepen "mutually beneficial" economic and trade cooperation with China, while noting its willingness to work with China to strengthen exchanges at various levels and share experience in party building, economic development and other fields, Xinhua said.
Thursday's meeting marked the leaders' first in-person meeting in more than six years.
Kim's visit to China was seen as his strategic move to bolster his authority at home, efface his image as an isolated ruler, stress his solidarity with the Chinese and Russian leaders against the West, and boost his bargaining power ahead of potential negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Kim's private train was seen leaving a station in the Chinese capital at 10:05 p.m. (local time). It marked his fifth trip to China following the last one in 2019.
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