Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing’s commitment to North Korea and its leader Kim Jong-un was “unwavering” as he began a two-day trip to the country on Monday.
“No matter how the international situation changes, the firm stance of the Chinese [Communist] Party and government in highly valuing the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] will not change,” Xi told Kim, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
“The unwavering support for the socialist cause of the DPRK led by Comrade General Secretary Kim Jong-un will not change; and the firm determination to safeguard the common interests and favourable strategic environment of both China and the DPRK will not change,” Xi said.
He called for stronger exchanges at all levels in areas such as foreign policy, law enforcement and the military.
Xi’s trip to North Korea comes just weeks after back-to-back summits in Beijing with US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
In Pyongyang, Xi described Asia as the foundation of survival and development for China and North Korea.