North Korea, China Agree to Develop Strategic Partnership

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit in Pyongyang and agreed to develop bilateral relations into a strategic partnership, expanding exchanges and cooperation in various fields. The two leaders agreed to establish a relationship as 'strategic partners' who support each other more closely and to increase cooperation in diverse areas.

North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 9th that Kim and Xi held talks the previous day at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse. The two leaders stated they would make efforts to strengthen and develop bilateral relations into a 'model for relations between socialist countries' and a 'special, true, and solid strategic relationship that cannot be altered.'

The agency reported that through the summit, they agreed to 'further tighten strategic communication through high-level exchanges between the two parties and countries, and to open a new chapter in the development of North Korea-China relations by further expanding and developing exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy, and culture.' It was also agreed to hold commemorative events to mark the 65th anniversary of the signing of the North Korea-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, scheduled for July 11th.