North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday, according to state news agency Xinhua. The trip, Kim’s first visit to China in more than a year, comes ahead of next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, where Donald Trump and other world leaders are expected to visit. He was accompanied by Wang Huning, China’s fourth-ranked official
Wang called on the two countries to expand people-to-people exchanges and economic and trade cooperation, and “strengthen strategic communication and coordination, and foster a peaceful and stable external environment for safeguarding their respective sovereignty, security, and development interests”. Kim’s one-day visit took place a day before the official anniversary marking the entry of Chinese troops into the Korean war in 1950.
Dandong served as the primary gateway for Chinese forces as they crossed the Yalu River into North Korea during the war. Wang welcomed Kim at the Memorial Hall of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, where the North Korean leader laid a floral tribute. Kim then inspected some of the wartime artifacts on display at the memorial hall, which commemorates how the two allies fought side by side.
Later in the day, Wang accompanied Kim has
Later in the day, Wang accompanied Kim has he left Dandongast week, Chinese Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Pyongyong and both countries should improve connectivity. The 3km (1.8-mile) bridge was intended to increase trade and connectivity between China and North Korea, and was completed in 2014
However, it remained closed for more than a decade because North Korea delayed work on its approach roads and facilities. The four-lane bridge connects Dandong in the northeastern province of Liaoning with the North Korean border city of Sinuiju. Kim’s one-day visit came just days ahead of the fifth plenum of the Communist Party’s 20th Central Committee in Beijing next week, a key political meeting ahead of the party leadership reshuffle next autumn.
Kim’s visit followed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two-day visit to North Korea in June this year, his first in seven years. During the trip, both leaders pledged to strengthen strategic cooperation and defend each other’s sovereignty, vowing to “open a new chapter” in bilateral ties and expand exchanges ranging from political, economic and culture. More to follow …
