Wang Yi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party Central Politburo and China's foreign minister, met with Choe Son Hui, North Korea's foreign minister, at the Kumsusan Guest House in Pyongyang.
On the 9th, China's Foreign Ministry quoted Wang as saying that last September's historic meeting in Beijing between General Secretary Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un produced an important consensus on the overall strategic direction of bilateral relations.
He said that consensus provides key strategic guidance for advancing China–North Korea ties to the next stage, guiding relations into a new phase and opening a fresh chapter in friendly exchanges.
Referring to exchanges over the past year, Wang said they have demonstrated strongly that the traditional friendship, sealed in blood, between the two countries remains undiminished and firm.
Marking the 65th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between China and North Korea this year, Wang said he intends to strengthen high-level contact and deepen dialogue and practical cooperation across sectors.
Choe Son Hui replied that the friendship between North Korea and China is grounded in a shared socialist system and a long tradition of amity, and that bilateral ties are deep, robust and sustainable.
Choe emphasized that advancing friendly cooperation with China reflects the firm position of the Workers' Party and the state, and she expressed clear support for China's core interests.
She said North Korea fully supports the One China principle, opposes interference in China's internal affairs, and firmly backs China's stance in defending sovereignty and territorial integrity on core issues such as Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.
She added that Pyongyang is broadly in agreement with Xi Jinping's global initiatives and values China's fair positions and its important role on international and regional issues.
China's Foreign Ministry said the two sides also exchanged in-depth views on current international and regional matters.
Wang's visit to North Korea came ahead of next month's U.S.–China summit in China.
While the Foreign Ministry said Wang's trip was intended to implement agreements between the two leaders, the visit likely also included exchanges of views on sensitive issues such as the Korean Peninsula and prospects for North Korea–U.S. talks.
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Moon Seung-wook (winnerwook@yna.co.kr)
