China’s Xi Jinping assures North Korean leader of cooperation under ‘new situation’

China ready to work with North Korea to develop friendship and cooperation, President Xi Jinping says in message to Kim Jong-un
KCNA report does not further elaborate on the nature of ‘new situation’

North Korea

Reuters

Published: 1:56pm, 26 Feb 2022

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Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un the significance of cooperation between the two countries, North Korean state media reported on Saturday.

In a message to Kim, Xi said China was ready to work with Korean side to steadily develop bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation “under a new situation”, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

KCNA did not further elaborate on the nature of this “new situation”.

Xi’s remarks came in response to Kim’s congratulatory message for the Beijing Winter Olympics and a verbal message of congratulation soon after the successful closing of the Games.

Earlier this week, Kim, in a verbal message to Xi, vowed to strengthen cooperation with China and together “frustrate” threats and hostile policies from the United States and its allies.

North Korea did not participate in the Games, which ended on Sunday.

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In a previous letter from sports authorities in January, North Korea blamed “hostile forces” and Covid-19 risks for not being able to attend.

North Korean athletes were not eligible to compete under their national flag after the country failed to send a team to the Tokyo Summer Olympics last year, also citing Covid-19 concerns.

China has been North Korea’s only major ally since the two signed a treaty in 1961.