Kim Jong-un Prioritises Stronger China Relations In Talks With Wang Yi
Kim Jong-un prioritises strengthening North Korea-China ties during meeting.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said that Pyongyang places “top priority” on strengthening and further developing its traditional ties with China, according to state media reports on Saturday following high-level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The meeting took place on Friday, marking the final day of Wang’s two-day visit to Pyongyang, and represented his first trip to North Korea since 2019. The discussions come amid shifting geopolitical alignments in the region and follow Kim’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in September last year, where both sides reportedly discussed deepening bilateral cooperation.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim reaffirmed that North Korea’s consistent policy is to prioritise and expand relations with China based on socialist principles. He emphasised the importance of increasing high-level exchanges, mutual visits, and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in light of the current international geopolitical situation.
Also Read: China Expands Global Influence As US Faces Trust Deficit Among Allies
Kim also underscored what he described as the need to strengthen bilateral coordination in safeguarding shared interests and advancing long-term strategic cooperation. While state media did not directly elaborate on his references, the remarks were widely interpreted as being made in the context of heightened global tensions, including ongoing conflicts in West Asia.
In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly described China-North Korea relations as entering a “new phase of development,” following last year’s summit between Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un. He reiterated Beijing’s willingness to further deepen friendly ties and expand strategic communication between the two countries.
State media further reported that Kim expressed support for China’s foreign policy positions, including its stance on territorial integrity and the “one-China principle” concerning Taiwan. Beijing’s foreign ministry also stated that Kim backed China’s broader vision of building a shared future and reaffirmed strategic alignment between the two sides.
Wang’s visit to Pyongyang comes ahead of expected high-level diplomatic engagements in the region, including anticipated US-China talks in May. Analysts say the timing of the visit highlights ongoing efforts by China to reinforce its regional partnerships amid evolving global power dynamics and increased geopolitical uncertainty.
Also Read: KMT Chairwoman Becomes First Taiwanese Leader In A Decade To Visit China
