Top News

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday sent a congratulatory message to Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), on the 80th anniversary of the founding of the WPK, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday. 

In his congratulatory message, Xi, on behalf of the Central Committee of the CPC and in his own name, extended warm congratulations and best wishes to Comrade General Secretary Kim, the Central Committee of the WPK, all members of the WPK and the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the WPK.

Xi said over the past 80 years, the WPK has united and led the people of the DPRK to forge ahead and overcome difficulties, making impressive achievements in advancing the socialist cause of the DPRK, according to Xinhua. 

Noting that both China and the DPRK are socialist countries led by communist parties, Xi said that in recent years, he has held multiple meetings with Kim to guide and steer the development of relations between the two parties and two countries, opening a new chapter in the China-DPRK friendship.

Xi also recalled Kim's recent visit to China to attend the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, during which the two leaders had in-depth discussions and charted the course for further developing the friendly and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK.

No matter how the international situation changes, it remains the unwavering policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to maintain, consolidate and develop China-DPRK relations, Xi noted, per Xinhua. 

China stands ready to work with the DPRK to strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, enhance coordination and promote the steady development of bilateral relations, so as to better serve the socialist causes of both countries and make positive contributions to regional and global peace, stability and prosperity, said Xi.

The DPRK on Thursday held a grand commemorative meeting at the May Day Stadium to celebrate the 80th founding anniversary of the WPK, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday. Kim delivered a speech at the event, which was attended by delegations from foreign parties and governments.

According to media reports, Vietnam's top leader To Lam, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman and United Russia Party Chairman Dmitry Medvedev visited Pyongyang. 

Frequent high-level interactions 

Along with the congratulatory message from Xi, Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday to attend the 80th anniversary celebrations of the WPK and pay an official goodwill visit to the DPRK. 

Li's three-day visit to Pyongyang, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, marks the first by a Chinese premier in 16 years, according to media reports.

During the meeting with Kim on Thursday in Pyongyang, Premier Li said that China stands ready to strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communication with the DPRK, Xinhua reported. 

In recent years, under the strategic guidance and personal efforts of General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong-un, China-DPRK relations have been brimming with new dynamism and vitality, said Li.

Kim told Li that Pyongyang is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with Beijing, promote cooperation in various fields, strengthen multilateral collaboration, advance the development of their respective socialist causes, and bring more benefits to the people of the two countries, per Xinhua.

China and DPRK have had frequent high-level interactions recently. In September, General Secretary Kim came to China to attend the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It was followed by a visit from September 27 to 30 by DPRK's Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, who met with Premier Li and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

The recent frequent high-level interactions between China and the DPRK clearly demonstrate the great importance both sides attach to the traditional friendship between the two parties and nations, Lü Chao, director of the Institute of American and East Asian Studies at Liaoning University, told the Global Times on Friday. 

Furthermore, Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, observed that the high-level exchanges between the two parties and countries have entered a new phase, with deepening engagement and steady progress, providing a stable and enduring platform for more strategic communication.

The ruling parties of both China and the DPRK prioritize enhancing the well-being and sense of fulfillment of their people, and are therefore working together to foster a stable and peaceful external environment, Yang said. 

Amid increasingly complex international dynamics and developments on the Korean Peninsula, the closer high-level coordination and communication between China and the DPRK not only advance their respective national interests but also contribute greater certainty and stability to Northeast Asia, while promoting global peace and stability, the expert added. 

Blood-forged friendship

On Friday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang paid homage to the martyrs of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (CPV) at a cemetery in Anju. The premier said 75 years ago, the CPV soldiers, carrying the great trust of the Chinese people, crossed the Yalu River, and fought alongside the army and civilians of the DPRK to defend peace and justice, Xinhua reported. 

Under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, the blood-forged traditional friendship between China and the DPRK has been continuously consolidated and deepened, and the friendly and cooperative relations have been constantly moving forward, Li said.

Li also visited the China-DPRK Friendship Tower on Friday, according to Xinhua. 

During the meeting with Kim on Thursday, Premier Li said China is ready to work with the DPRK to further carry forward their traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation, and closely coordinate and cooperate in international and regional affairs. 

Noting that DPRK-China relations are unbreakable, Kim told Li that consolidating and developing the friendly cooperative ties between the two countries remains the unwavering stance of the party and government of the DPRK, regardless of changes in the international situation, according to Xinhua. 

The DPRK, Kim said, firmly supports the one-China principle, resolutely opposes separatist acts of "Taiwan independence" and any external interference, and supports China's position on issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang.

From economic cooperation and coordination in international affairs to the current emphasis on deepening exchanges in governance to advance their respective socialist causes, the friendly relationship between China and the DPRK has entered a new phase, Lü said. 

According to China's State Post Bureau on Friday, the cross-border land postal route between Dandong and Sinuiju officially resumed operations on September 25, following coordination between the government departments of China and DPRK. The reopening of the China-DPRK land postal route will provide greater convenience for mail exchanges between the peoples of the two countries, the bureau said.

Looking ahead, Yang suggests that China and the DPRK can foster mutually beneficial cooperation in agricultural modernization, especially through the enhancement of high-quality crop varieties. Additionally, China's expansive market presents substantial opportunities for the DPRK's strengths in industries like clothing.

Regarding regional and international hotspot issues, enhanced strategic communication and policy coordination between China and the DPRK will foster greater mutual understanding and support, contributing to increased certainty in global security, Yang said.