Xi and Kim commit to improving ties between China and DPRK

World Today

Xi Jinping (3rd R), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, meets with Kim Jong Un (3rd L), chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in Beijing on Wednesday. The two leaders discussed the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and bilateral ties. 

CGTN’s Timothy Ulrich reports.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un described Pyongyang’s relations with Beijing as “close and friendly as a family” in his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

This was Kim’s third visit to China in three months, and comes a week after a historic summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore.

Before wrapping up his two-day visit, Kim met and had an in-depth conversation with President Xi Jinping. Xi said he was happy to see progress in dialogue that aims to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. He also said the region was eager to see peace, stability, development, and prosperity through the efforts of China and the DPRK.

President Xi also said friendly cooperative relations between the two sides are improving. He said Kim’s frequent visits also “create a new history of high-level exchanges”. Kim vowed to work with China to strengthen ties between the two nations even further.

Kim visited the National Agricultural Technology Innovation Park. Economic cooperation is high on the agenda, and some analysts say the tour reflects Pyongyang’s interest in farming reform. 

Kim Jong Un visits a national agricultural technology innovation park under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Beijing expressed its willingness to share its experience with the DPRK. Xi said more unity and cooperation will benefit the two countries. 

Kim also went to the Beijing rail traffic control center before departing for Pyongyang.

Kim Jong Un visits the Beijing rail traffic control center in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)