China, DPRK convene to reinforce and mark 75 years of diplomatic ties
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The meeting happens as the officials attended an opening ceremony for the "year of DPRK-China friendship" in Pyongyang on Friday.
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On April 12, 2024, Choe Ryong Hae, vice-chairman of the central committee of the Workers' Party of North Korea, with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress of China. (AP via KCNA)
The DPRK's state media reported on Saturday that China's third highest-ranking official Zhao Leji - a member of the powerful Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo - met with his North Korean counterpart Choe Ryong Hae in a "new chapter" of relations in one of the most high-level talks in years.
The meeting happens to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties, as the officials attended an opening ceremony for the "year of DPRK-China friendship" in Pyongyang on Friday.
Zhao stated in his speech that it is the "consistent strategic policy" of Beijing to "successfully defend, consolidate and develop" bilateral relations, adding that China is willing to "thoroughly implement the important common understanding" and "open up a new chapter of China-DPRK friendship along with the times".
Zhao is China's third highest-ranking official, after President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
KCNA relayed that Choe said the two countries' relationship "has greeted a new heyday under the wise leadership" of their leaders, who were seen sitting next to each other watching performances of "prestigious art troupes" at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, per AFP footage.
Performers were seen donning traditional Korean and Chinese garments, and the final moment of the event seemingly showed a massive image of the countries' flags, with the phrase "eternal friendship".
Potential war preps
The last time China and the DPRK convened was when Xi last met DPRK leader Kim Jong-Un in 2019 before Covid, while South Korean local media reports claim that Zhao's trip could include scheduling Kim's next potential state visit to China.
China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Friday as well that Zhao and Choe discussed the "situation on the Korean peninsula", and Zhao expressed China's intention to "intensify legislative exchanges and cooperation".
Last month, KCNA reported that Kim ordered his military to prepare intensely for potential war amid South Korea-US military drills.
During his visit to a military training base in the country’s western region, he looked into the military units' maneuvers and said they must "dynamically usher in a new heyday of intensifying the war preparations in line with the requirements of the prevailing situation."
The DPRK has long condemned joint US-South Korea military drills, considering them rehearsals for an invasion.
Last week as well, the Chinese Army confirmed that China is conducting military "combat patrols" in the South China Sea - the same day as joint drills by the Philippines, the United States, Japan and Australia.
