A Chinese official meets North Korean leader Kim in Pyongyang in highest-level talks in years
==========
A top-ranking Chinese official, Zhao Leji, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, reaffirming ties between the two countries. This meeting marks the highest-level talks between China and North Korea in years. Zhao, who ranks third in the ruling Communist Party hierarchy and heads the ceremonial parliament, expressed China's commitment to further developing ties with North Korea. The visit comes at a time when North Korea has been attempting to intimidate South Korea and the United States. China has been a crucial source of economic aid and diplomatic support for North Korea. The two countries have been good neighbors for the past 75 years and have fought together during the Korean War. Zhao also met with his North Korean counterpart, Choe Ryong Hae, to discuss promoting exchanges and cooperation. This visit is the first bilateral exchange involving a Chinese Politburo Standing Committee member since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. North Korea and China are expected to hold more exchanges this year to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic ties. North Korea has been seeking closer cooperation with China and Russia amid tensions with the US and South Korea over its missile launches and nuclear program. In the past, Kim has also held summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. China has refused to criticize Russia's invasion of Ukraine but has stated that it will not provide direct military support to Russia.
#China #NorthKorea #KimJongUn #ZhaoLeji #DiplomaticTies #EconomicAid #KoreanWar #Covid19Pandemic #ChoeRyongHae #Cooperation #MissileLaunches #NuclearProgram #XiJinping #VladimirPutin #Russia #Us #SouthKorea