SEOUL:  , China’s top legislator and a top North Korean national emphasised opening a “new book” of Beijing- North relations, the North’s state media said on Saturday ( Apr 13 ), as they met for one of the most large- level talks between the friends in decades.
Beijing’s third-highest national Zhao Leji, a part of the strong Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo, is making a kindness visit to the nuclear-armed North as the two nations celebrate 75 years of political relations.
China is North Korea’s most significant financial patron and political ally, preventing US-led attempts to impose stricter sanctions on Kim Jong Un’s authorities in response to its increased arms testing.
According to North Korea’s standard Asian Central News Agency, Zhao and his rival Choe Ryong Hae used the name” the year of DPRK- China connection” to describe the opening ceremony for the “year of DPRK- China friendship” in Pyongyang on Friday.
In a speech, Zhao said it is the” consistent strategic policy” of Beijing to” successfully defend, consolidate and develop” China- North Korea relations, according to KCNA.
China” will put the two countries’ important common understanding into practice thoroughly” and “open a new chapter of China-DPRK friendship with the times,” he continued.
North Korea’s Choe said the two countries ‘ relationship “has greeted a new heyday under the wise leadership” of their leaders, KCNA said.