China, North Korea reaffirm ties on defence treaty anniversary

Name: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scolds officials for ‘great crisis’ caused by coronavirus lapse
Uploaded: 2021-07-11T07:41:57.000Z
Duration: 1 min
Description: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scolds officials for ‘great crisis’ caused by coronavirus lapse

On 60th anniversary of mutual assistance agreement, Kim Jong-un takes aim at ‘hostile forces’ as both countries face uncertainty in relations with the US

Xi Jinping focuses on brotherhood with neighbour and willingness to advance economic development

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged messages to mark the 60th anniversary of a friendship treaty between the two countries. Photo: KCNA

Kinling Lo

Published: 3:41pm, 11 Jul 2021Updated: 11:23pm, 11 Jul 2021

China and North Korea pledged greater cooperation in the face of what Pyongyang described as “hostile forces” as the two countries marked the 60th anniversary of their defence treaty on Sunday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the two countries were “staunchly advancing towards a bright future by smashing the high-handedness and desperate manoeuvres of hostile forces”, according to a statement from Pyongyang’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chinese President Xi Jinping took a less combative tone, saying the “brotherhood” between the two countries had contributed to “regional peace and world peace”.

Xi said the world was “undergoing profound changes unseen in a century”, a phrase he has repeatedly used in speeches. In a top-level cadres meeting in January, he said he believed “time and momentum are on China’s side”, despite challenges including the coronavirus pandemic, supply chain disruptions, deteriorating relations with the West and a slowing economy.

“I hope to strengthen strategic communications with [Kim] so our bilateral relations can be developed forward in the correct direction, and the friendly cooperation between us will be able to excel to new levels, and benefit our countries and our people ,” Xi said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

“China is determined in supporting North Korea’s economic development and improvements to people’s livelihoods.”

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scolds officials for ‘great crisis’ caused by coronavirus lapse