Kim told Xi that North Korea will support China's interests

(Patria) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Chinese President Xi Jinping that North Korea will continue to support China in protecting Chinese sovereignty, territory, and development interests, North Korean state media KCNA reported this morning, Reuters reported.

"No matter how the international situation changes, the feeling of friendship cannot change" between North Korea and China, Kim told Xi during bilateral talks in Beijing on Thursday, KCNA reported.
Xi told Kim that China and North Korea are "good neighbors, good friends, and good comrades" who share the same destiny.

The leaders discussed strengthening strategic cooperation and protecting common interests in international and regional issues, as well as holding more high-level visits between the two countries, and strategic communication, KCNA announced.

KCNA confirmed that Kim left Beijing on Thursday and returned to North Korea. High-ranking Chinese officials, including high-ranking Communist Party official Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, were there to see Kim off.

Kim's visit to China "marked a historic event that further strengthened political trust and strategic cooperation between... the two countries," KCNA stated. It was proof of "the steadfastness and invincibility of the friendly relations between the DPRK and China which have... overcome all kinds of trials and challenges," KCNA announced, using the initials of North Korea's official name - the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Kim a congratulatory message on North Korea's Founding Day on Thursday, KCNA announced.

"The heroic participation of your combat units in the liberation of the Kursk territories from the invaders is a clear symbol of friendship and mutual assistance between Russia and North Korea," Putin stated in the message. "I am convinced that we will continue to work together to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries.".

North Korea has sent soldiers, artillery ammunition, and missiles to support Moscow in the war against Ukraine. During a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, Kim told Putin that his country would "fully support" the Russian army as a "fraternal duty," KCNA had previously announced.