Xi Jinping says in letter to Kim Jong-un that he intends to strengthen China-DPRK strategic partnership at international and regional levels.
China prepares to strengthen strategic cooperation with North Korea
Chinese President Xi Jinping said that Beijing is ready to develop relations with North Korea to strengthen strategic cooperation in international and regional affairs, the North Korean state news agency KCNA reported.
In a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent on Thursday in response to a congratulatory message on the anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Xi stressed that “China and North Korea are good neighbors, good friends who share a common destiny and support each other.”
Preparing for a new stage of partnership
According to Xi, during Kim Jong-un’s visit to China in September, the two leaders “laid out a roadmap for the development of bilateral relations.”
He added that the friendship between the two countries is “growing even stronger” and called for continued joint work on regional stability.
Analysts say the move could signal Beijing’s intention to strengthen geopolitical coordination with Pyongyang amid rising tensions between China and the United States and growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.
Indonesian delegation visits Pyongyang
Separately, KCNA reported that the foreign ministers of Indonesia and the DPRK met in Pyongyang on Saturday.
The two sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation on regional security issues, and signed a memorandum of understanding, without disclosing details of the agreement.
The Indonesian minister is in Pyongyang as part of a foreign delegation invited to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the agency said.
Context
The deepening ties between China and North Korea come amid increased Western sanctions pressure and increased diplomacy in the Asian region.
Beijing and Pyongyang are increasingly demonstrating political solidarity in response to initiatives by the United States, South Korea, and Japan to expand security alliances.
Analysts believe that Beijing can use North Korea as a strategic buffer in the regional game against Washington, while the DPRK is counting on China’s support in light of its own international isolation.
Related: In the wake of a Beijing, North Korea has been found to be erasing traces of its leader, Kim Jong Un
