On June 8, the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, emphasized the importance of the China-North Korea alliance as President Xi Jinping prepares for his first state visit to North Korea in seven years. Xi is visiting at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a two-day trip.
The front page of the People's Daily featured an article titled "Opening a New Chapter in China-North Korea Friendship." The article stated, "China and North Korea are good neighbors and friends, sharing a common destiny and supporting each other as good comrades," adding that this historic visit will outline a new blueprint for the development of relations between the two parties and countries.
The newspaper noted that the two leaders have met six times since 2018, deepening their friendship. It emphasized that the strategic leadership of both leaders is the greatest political strength and a strong guarantee for the development of China-North Korea relations.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea Mutual Assistance Treaty, highlighting that the relationship stands at a new historical starting point. The People's Daily stated that the two countries have forged a bond through shared struggles and continue to maintain their traditional friendship based on mutual trust.
The article stressed that solidifying the China-North Korea friendship is a firm and unwavering strategic choice for both nations. It quoted Xi Jinping as saying that regardless of how the international situation changes, maintaining, strengthening, and developing relations with North Korea is the unwavering policy of the Chinese Party and government. Kim Jong Un's statement that this friendship will remain unchanged no matter how the world evolves was also included.
In a column on page three titled "Promoting Greater Development of China-North Korea Relations in Line with the Trends of the Times," the People's Daily reiterated the commitment to enhancing strategic communication and deepening friendly cooperation between the two nations. It noted that Xi's visit will imbue the traditional friendship with new significance in this era. The column also referenced the 65th anniversary of the Mutual Assistance Treaty, describing it as a political and legal foundation that solidifies the combat bond forged by the two peoples as blood allies and supports ongoing cooperation.
Furthermore, China pledged to continue supporting North Korea in pursuing a development path suited to its circumstances and achieving new successes in socialist construction.
The People's Daily's emphasis on the China-North Korea friendship comes amid recent close ties between North Korea and Russia, signaling a reaffirmation of its traditional ally and an intention to strengthen strategic cooperation.
The People's Daily also shared a 15-second video on the social media platform Weibo, showing preparations in Pyongyang ahead of Xi's visit. The video featured large portraits of Xi, the Chinese national flag, and the North Korean flag displayed together, along with slogans such as "China-North Korea Friendship" and "Long Live the Indestructible Unity of China and North Korea."
Xi is expected to arrive at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport on a private jet on the morning of June 8. During his two-day visit, the two leaders are scheduled to hold talks, enjoy a banquet, and visit the China-North Korea Friendship Tower, showcasing their traditional friendship and strategic cooperation. This visit marks Xi's first trip to North Korea since June 2019.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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