Xi Jinping Meets North Korean Premier Pak Tae-song, Vows to Advance Socialism and Modernization Together

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with North Korean Premier Pak Tae-song, who is visiting China to mark the 65th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance between China and North Korea, on July 10. During the meeting, Xi emphasized strengthening bilateral ties and called for joint efforts to advance socialist construction and modernization.

According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, President Xi told Premier Pak at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that afternoon, "Generational friendship, a shared future, and mutual support are the distinct characteristics of China-North Korea relations." He added, "The Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance serves as an important political and legal foundation for consolidating the friendship forged in blood between the two peoples."

Xi further emphasized, "In a situation where the international landscape is undergoing complex changes, both countries must maintain strategic patience and confidence. We must swiftly implement the agreements reached with General Secretary Kim Jong-un to develop bilateral relations in line with the changing times, consolidate our respective socialist causes, and promote national modernization."

He also added, "We must steadily expand practical cooperation and utilize our shared revolutionary traditions to ensure that the younger generation remembers the historical contributions of the Chinese People's Volunteers. We must strengthen strategic cooperation to safeguard the sovereignty, security, and development interests of both nations, and create an external environment that allows each country to pursue a path of socialism suited to its own national conditions."

Premier Pak conveyed greetings from General Secretary Kim and responded by expressing North Korea's support for China on the Taiwan issue.

"President Xi chose North Korea as his first overseas destination this year, and the historic summit between the top leaders of our two countries set a new milestone in bilateral relations," Pak said. "North Korea will faithfully implement the important agreements reached by our top leaders."

He further stated, "We firmly support China's protection of its core interests, including the Taiwan issue, and will do our utmost to promote unity, friendship, and the development of the socialist cause between North Korea and China."

The meeting was attended by North Korean officials including Kim Song-nam, Director of the International Department; Mun Song-hyok, Deputy Director of the International Department; and Ri Ryong-nam, Ambassador to China.

From the Chinese side, attendees included Foreign Minister Wang Yi; Liu Haixing, Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China; Zheng Shanjie, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission; and Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao.

Premier Pak arrived in Beijing by air on the morning of July 10, leading a North Korean party and government delegation.

Wang Dongfeng, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, greeted him at the airport.

Prior to his meeting with President Xi, Premier Pak visited the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square to lay a wreath.

The China-North Korea friendship treaty was signed in Beijing on July 11, 1961, by Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. It is considered the core foundation of China-North Korea relations, as it includes an "automatic military intervention" clause that requires one side to provide military support if the other is subjected to an armed attack by an external force.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.