China and North Korea vow to 'open new chapter' in ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a two-day visit to Pyongyang, where he and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to enhance strategic cooperation and mutual defense. According to North Korean state media, the leaders committed to "open a new chapter" in their bilateral ties, aiming to broaden exchanges and collaboration across political, economic, and cultural spheres.

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strengthening ties with China was the country’s “most important strategic mission”.

During the visit, Kim Jong-un reportedly described strengthening ties with China as his country's "most important strategic mission." Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported Xi stating that the relationship between China and North Korea is at a "new historical starting point" and that he had reached "important consensus" with Kim.

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stands at a new historical starting point

At a state banquet, Xi characterized the two nations as "good neighbors, good friends and good comrades," underscoring their deep historical connections. He noted that the traditional friendship between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), linked by geography and a shared future, has grown stronger over generations and endured through the evolving international landscape.

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China and the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea], linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common future, have seen their traditional friendship passed down across generations and grow ever stronger over time through the test of the evolving international landscape.