Wang Huning Meets North Korean Senior Official to Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation

(Taipei, Central News Agency, June 16) Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, held talks on June 15 at the Pyongyang Assembly Hall with Choe Ryong Hae, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the Standing Committee of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, to discuss measures for strengthening exchanges and cooperation between North Korea and China.

Amid recent warming of China-North Korea relations, Wang Huning is visiting North Korea from June 15 to 17 at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the North Korean government. Choe Ryong Hae is widely regarded as North Korea's second-highest-ranking official and also serves as First Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea.

According to reports on June 16 by Yonhap News Agency and Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), citing North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Wang Huning and Choe Ryong Hae discussed ways to enhance party-to-party and state-to-state exchanges, expand cooperation in economic, cultural, and other fields, and better benefit the peoples of both countries.

Choe Ryong Hae stated that the current international political landscape requires both nations to further strengthen unity and mutual support based on the spirit of the 'China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance' to advance their shared 'great socialist cause,' and to continuously deepen and develop their friendly cooperative relationship. North Korea is willing to strengthen strategic communication and coordination between the two parties and two countries and comprehensively expand bilateral relations.

Wang Huning stated that the signing of the 'China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance' laid a legal foundation for consolidating the battle-tested friendship forged in blood between the two nations. The Chinese party and government will take as fundamental guidance the important agreements reached by the two countries' top leaders during their meeting in Pyongyang, and push China-North Korea relations to a higher stage.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited China in September last year to attend a war commemoration event and held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The following month, Chinese Premier Li Qiang led a delegation to Pyongyang. President Xi Jinping visited Pyongyang in June this year, and North Korean Premier Pak In-chon began a three-day visit to Beijing on July 10.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that Wang Huning's visit to North Korea following Pak In-chon's return from China sends a signal to the outside world that both sides are deepening their traditional friendly relations and strategic communication. (Edited by Chen Kai-yu / Qiu Guo-qiang) 1150716