North Korea, China agree to defend common interests
China said the two countries pledged to strengthen strategic communications "at all levels" and reaffirmed "unswerving stance" on deepening ties
Published: 04:01 PM,Jan 27,2024 | EDITED : 08:01 PM,Jan 27,2024
North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho holds a meeting with China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang. — AFP
SEOUL: North Korea and China agreed to strengthen tactical cooperation and defend common interests, the North's official KCNA news agency said on Saturday, reporting on Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui's meeting with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.
On Friday, China said the two countries pledged to strengthen strategic communications 'at all levels' and reaffirmed 'unswerving stance' on deepening ties as Sun met his North Korean counterpart, Pak Myong Ho, in Pyongyang.
Sun arrived in Pyongyang, passing through the city of Sinuiju on the border of the two countries. It was the latest exchange by North Korea with China and Russia while it steps up confrontation with the United States and South Korea.
North Korea has dramatically upgraded its ties with the two U.N. Security Council permanent members and traditional allies, which have come around to stand with Pyongyang as it speeds up the development of an array of tactical and strategic weapons.
Beijing and Moscow, which previously voted against Pyongyang at the U.N. for its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, have since 2017 refused to join in imposing more sanctions, backing the North's position it is exercising its right to self defense.
Sun's visit comes as US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was set to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Thailand, as the two powers seek to improve relations after years of tensions.
China on Saturday said that top diplomat Wang Yi and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held 'candid, substantive and fruitful' talks in Thailand's capital Bangkok, where issues including Taiwan were discussed.
Beijing and Washington have clashed in recent years on flashpoint issues from technology and trade to human rights, as well as over the self-ruled island and competing claims in the South China Sea.
Wang and Sullivan 'had candid, substantive and fruitful strategic communication on implementing the consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting... and on properly handling important and sensitive issues in China-US relations', a statement on China's foreign ministry website released Saturday evening said.
Earlier this month, Kim said Pyongyang and Beijing had designated 2024 as the 'year of DPRK-China friendship,' using the acronym of the North's official name.
The two countries 'will further promote exchange and visits in all fields, including politics, economy and culture' this year, and add 'a new page to the history of the DPRK-China relations,' Kim said in his message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to KCNA. — Agencies
On Friday, China said the two countries pledged to strengthen strategic communications 'at all levels' and reaffirmed 'unswerving stance' on deepening ties as Sun met his North Korean counterpart, Pak Myong Ho, in Pyongyang.
Sun arrived in Pyongyang, passing through the city of Sinuiju on the border of the two countries. It was the latest exchange by North Korea with China and Russia while it steps up confrontation with the United States and South Korea.
North Korea has dramatically upgraded its ties with the two U.N. Security Council permanent members and traditional allies, which have come around to stand with Pyongyang as it speeds up the development of an array of tactical and strategic weapons.
Beijing and Moscow, which previously voted against Pyongyang at the U.N. for its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, have since 2017 refused to join in imposing more sanctions, backing the North's position it is exercising its right to self defense.
Sun's visit comes as US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was set to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Thailand, as the two powers seek to improve relations after years of tensions.
China on Saturday said that top diplomat Wang Yi and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held 'candid, substantive and fruitful' talks in Thailand's capital Bangkok, where issues including Taiwan were discussed.
Beijing and Washington have clashed in recent years on flashpoint issues from technology and trade to human rights, as well as over the self-ruled island and competing claims in the South China Sea.
Wang and Sullivan 'had candid, substantive and fruitful strategic communication on implementing the consensus reached at the San Francisco meeting... and on properly handling important and sensitive issues in China-US relations', a statement on China's foreign ministry website released Saturday evening said.
Earlier this month, Kim said Pyongyang and Beijing had designated 2024 as the 'year of DPRK-China friendship,' using the acronym of the North's official name.
The two countries 'will further promote exchange and visits in all fields, including politics, economy and culture' this year, and add 'a new page to the history of the DPRK-China relations,' Kim said in his message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to KCNA. — Agencies