NKOREA-CHINA-DIPLOMACY Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Huning (L) walks with Kim Hyong Sik, North Korea's vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, upon his arrival at Pyongyang International Airport in Pyongyang on July 15, 2026. (Photo by KIM Won Jin / AFP)

Cho Yong-won, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, met with Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the fourth-ranking official of the Chinese Communist Party, who visited North Korea to mark the 65th anniversary of the signing of the North Korea-China Treaty of Friendship, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 16th that Secretary Cho held talks with Chairman Wang at the Pyongyang Parliament House the previous day.

During the talks, Secretary Cho stated, "The rapidly changing international political landscape demands that our two countries further strengthen militant unity and solidarity, and continuously deepen our friendly and cooperative relations for the victorious advancement of our common socialist cause, in accordance with the fundamental spirit of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the DPRK and China."

He continued, "Under the direct interest and wise leadership of Comrades Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping, DPRK-China friendly relations are entering a new period of vitality," and expressed his intention to "closely coordinate strategic communication and tactical cooperation between the two parties and two countries, and expand and develop bilateral relations in a multifaceted manner."

Chairman Wang stated that the signing of the North Korea-China Treaty of Friendship "provided the legal foundation for consolidating the militant friendship forged in blood," adding that "celebrating the 65th anniversary of the treaty with grandeur is a significant common understanding reached by the top leaders of both parties and countries."

KCNA reported that he emphasized "the will of the Chinese party and government to drive DPRK-China relations to a higher stage," treating the agreements reached by the leaders of both countries at the Pyongyang summit as "fundamental guidelines."

The agency also noted that the two sides discussed ways to deepen cooperation in various fields, including the economy and culture, alongside inter-party and bilateral exchanges, to promote the welfare of their peoples.

Participants from the North Korean side included Kim Hyong Sik, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly; Mun Song Hyok, Deputy Department Director of the Workers' Party; Kim Myong Su, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Kang Chol Ho, Vice Minister of Urban Management.

The Chinese delegation included Wang Dongfeng, Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee; Liu Haixing, Head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee; Qi Yu, Party Committee Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Pei Jinjia, Minister of Veterans Affairs; and Wang Yajun, Chinese Ambassador to North Korea.

Earlier, the Chinese party and government delegation led by Chairman Wang arrived at Pyongyang International Airport on the 15th to attend commemorative events for the 65th anniversary of the treaty.

At the airport, the delegation was welcomed by Kim Hyong Sik, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly; Mun Song Hyok, Deputy Department Director of the Workers' Party; and Kim Myong Su, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

A guard of honor from the Korean People's Army was presented, and North Korean residents welcomed the delegation by waving the North Korean flag and the five-star red flag of China.

The Chinese delegation visited the Friendship Tower, a monument dedicated to the Chinese People's Volunteers who died in North Korea during the Korean War.

The flower basket laid by the delegation bore the message, "The martyrs of the Chinese People's Volunteers will live forever," and Chairman Wang wrote in the guest book, "Let us carry on the will of our predecessors and bring glory to our traditional friendship."

The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the government held a banquet that evening to welcome the Chinese delegation.

The Chinese delegation is on a friendly visit to North Korea from the 15th to the 17th at the invitation of the Workers' Party Central Committee and the government. This is Chairman Wang's first visit to North Korea since he accompanied then-President Hu Jintao in 2005, when he served as the Director of the Central Policy Research Office.

This visit, which comes immediately after an official visit to China by a North Korean delegation led by Cabinet Premier Pak Tae Song, is interpreted as a move by both countries to demonstrate their traditional friendly ties and commitment to strengthening strategic communication to both domestic and international audiences through high-level exchanges. [Yonhap News]

ask@yna.co.kr

(End)