▲ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who visited North Korea for the first time in seven years, wrapped up his two-day state visit on Tuesday after having a luncheon with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to exchange views on bilateral relations and regional situations.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, President Xi said during a small-scale luncheon with Chairman Kim at the Kumsusan State Guest House in Pyongyang on Tuesday, "I have reached an important consensus with General Secretary Kim Jong-un on the development of China-North Korea relations in the new era, and also exchanged in-depth views on safeguarding regional and global peace and stability."
He added, "Both China and North Korea have deepened their mutual understanding more comprehensively and clarified the direction of future development. I wish to work with General Secretary Kim to lead greater development in China-North Korea relations and inject new and strong momentum into the socialist cause of both countries."
In response, Chairman Kim evaluated, "General Secretary Xi Jinping's visit was a complete success and sent a positive message to the world about further strengthening North Korea-China friendly cooperation."
He emphasized, "This visit holds very important significance for bilateral relations and the future development of the region. We will faithfully implement the important consensus reached during the visit to ensure bilateral cooperation achieves new results and further develop North Korea-China relations."
After the luncheon, President Xi departed for home. Chairman Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, personally saw off President Xi and his wife at the airport, holding a farewell ceremony just as they did upon his arrival in Pyongyang the previous day.
Xinhua reported that Pyongyang citizens and students gathered along the road to the airport and throughout the airport, waving the Chinese national flag and the North Korean national flag to see off President Xi and his party.
President Xi shook hands with high-ranking North Korean officials in turn, said goodbye to Chairman Kim and his wife, and left Pyongyang.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, President Xi, along with his wife Peng Liyuan, paid tribute at the Friendship Tower at the foot of Moran Hill in Pyongyang.
Chairman Kim and his wife also accompanied them.
The Friendship Tower is a monument to commemorate the Chinese People's Volunteers who died in North Korea during the Korean War.
President Xi paid silent tribute in front of a wreath inscribed with "The Martyrs of the Chinese People's Volunteers Are Immortal" and looked around the memorial hall, examining the list of the fallen and related materials.
The two leaders agreed that the history of fighting together during the Korean War is an eternal memory for both countries, and decided to inherit and develop North Korea-China friendship by strengthening the management of memorial facilities for volunteer soldiers, revolutionary tradition education, and youth education, Xinhua reported.
President Xi also visited the Central Cadres School of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang with Chairman Kim.
This is reportedly the first time a Chinese top leader has visited the Central Cadres School of the Workers' Party of Korea.
President Xi observed a class on the theme of North Korea-China relations, toured the campus, and planted a fir tree with Chairman Kim.
On the marker stone in front of the fir tree, the phrase "China-North Korea Friendship Lasts Forever" (中朝友誼 万古長靑) was engraved.
Xinhua reported that President Xi returned to Beijing at 4:14 p.m. (5:14 p.m. KST) on Tuesday afternoon after successfully wrapping up his state visit to North Korea.
President Xi's visit to North Korea was the first in seven years since 2019, and the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic communication, expanding practical cooperation, and inheriting traditional friendship through a summit and a joint statement.
They also agreed to expand exchange and cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, agriculture, construction, science and technology, education, culture, and sports, and to continue high-level exchanges, but the official announcement did not include contents regarding North Korea's denuclearization or peace on the Korean Peninsula.
(Photo: Xinhua News Agency capture, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.