North Korean Premier Pak Tae-song to Visit China July 10–12 for 65th Anniversary of Friendship Treaty

A North Korean delegation will pay an official visit to China to attend events marking the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between North Korea and China.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported today (July 9) that a party and government delegation, led by Premier Pak Tae-song, will visit China from July 10 to 12 at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government.
The report stated that the delegation will participate in commemorative events for the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the two countries.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also confirmed the visit and announced the specific dates for Premier Pak's trip.
With the 65th anniversary of the treaty falling on July 11, it is expected that high-level exchanges and discussions on follow-up measures to the summit held last month will gain momentum.
Socialist nations like North Korea and China place significant importance on anniversaries that fall on five or ten-year intervals, often holding grand commemorative events, exchanging congratulatory messages, or conducting high-level visits.
In 2021, for the 60th anniversary of the treaty, no commemorative events were held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and President Xi Jinping and Chairman Kim Jong-un exchanged personal letters instead.
For the 50th anniversary in 2011, North Korea sent Yang Hyong-sop, Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, to China, while China sent Vice Premier and Politburo member Zhang Dejiang to North Korea, with large-scale commemorative events held in both Beijing and Pyongyang.
It is reported that China is likely to send a premier-level official to the 65th-anniversary events to be held in North Korea.
While vice-premier-level officials were exchanged for events in both countries during the 50th anniversary, the level is expected to be elevated to the premier level this time.
Previously, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited North Korea on June 8–9, marking his first visit in seven years. During his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Xi noted that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the treaty and urged that the commemorative events be held in a grand manner.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular briefing, "Both sides have agreed to jointly hold grand commemorative events," adding, "Maintaining, consolidating, and developing China-North Korea relations is the consistent and firm strategy of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government."
Mao added, "China wishes to work with North Korea to take the important consensus reached by the top leaders of both parties and countries as a guide to strengthen strategic communication," and "We hope to deepen exchanges and cooperation to promote the continuous development of the traditional China-North Korea friendly and cooperative relations."
In this regard, a government official stated, "This is the first time during the Kim Jong-un era that a high-level exchange has taken place on the occasion of the North Korea-China Friendship Treaty anniversary," adding, "We are closely watching whether Premier Pak will pay a courtesy call to President Xi."
(Photo: KCTV, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.