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Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reached an “important consensus” on expanding bilateral relations and safeguarding regional and global peace during Xi’s two-day visit to Pyongyang, state media reported Wednesday.
Xi visited North Korea from Monday to Tuesday in his first trip to the country in seven years.
In a message of thanks published in full by North Korea's state news agency KCNA, Xi said the two leaders exchanged detailed views on issues of shared concern and reached a series of agreements reflecting their determination to deepen ties.
Xi said the visit had concluded successfully and that relations between China and North Korea had entered “a new historical stage.”
He also expressed hope that he and Kim would meet again.
Xi said he was willing to work with Kim based on the two countries’ fundamental and long-term interests to steadily safeguard, consolidate and develop bilateral relations.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen strategic communication between their governments and expand cooperation in politics, the economy, trade and culture, according to state media in both countries.
China’s official Xinhua news agency described practical cooperation as an important driving force in the development of relations between China and North Korea.
The countries identified agriculture, technology and construction among the sectors where cooperation could be expanded.
Chinese state media also said the two sides should benefit from the full reopening of border crossings and the resumption of civil aviation services and international passenger trains.
No specific agreements were announced during the visit.
At a banquet Monday, Xi said China and North Korea were “linked by mountains and rivers and share a common destiny,” according to Xinhua.
Kim said North Korea would continue to treat its friendship with China as a top priority and reaffirmed support for Beijing’s “One China” principle.
Kim described Xi’s decision to choose Pyongyang for his first state visit of the year as a sign of the importance China places on relations with North Korea.
Xi said the two leaders had agreed to understand the direction of the changing international environment while deepening high-level exchanges and ties between their peoples.
The visit came as China seeks to reinforce its influence over North Korea, which has developed closer military and political ties with Russia.
It followed Xi’s recent meetings in Beijing with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Official accounts of the talks did not mention the denuclearization of North Korea.
China has reduced its public calls in recent years for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and has increasingly avoided referring to the issue in official statements.
North Korea remains under international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, while China continues to serve as its most important political and economic partner.
The visit also marked the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea defense agreement, the only defense pact China maintains with another country.
Xi traveled with senior Chinese officials, including Cai Qi, his de facto chief of staff, Defense Minister Dong Jun, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Xi and Kim visited Pyongyang’s Sino-Korean Friendship Tower on Tuesday to honor Chinese soldiers who died during the Korean War.
They also toured a political training school for party officials and planted a fir tree intended to symbolize the enduring friendship between the two countries, according to Xinhua.
Xi stayed at the Kumsusan State Guest House, an exclusive residence in central Pyongyang that was reportedly constructed for his first state visit to North Korea in 2019.
The residence has also hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Xi said he hoped the latest visit would help open a brighter future for the socialist development of both countries.
China has long encouraged North Korea to follow a development model that maintains one-party rule while expanding markets, foreign investment and international trade.
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