Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korean war monument evokes ‘eternal historical memory’
Chinese and North Korean leaders recall ‘shared battles’ as tribute paid to Chinese People’s Volunteers who fought during Korean war
Xi and first lady Peng Liyuan paid tribute at the Sino-Korean Friendship Tower in Moran Hill, accompanied by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju.
Honour guards placed a floral basket at the monument with a ribbon inscribed with the words “The martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteer (CPV) Army are immortal”.
Xi then stepped forward to straighten the ribbons before the delegation observed a moment of silence.
Kim later showed Xi historical documents, photographs and oil paintings inside the tower depicting Chinese and North Korean soldiers fighting side by side during the Korean war and later working together to rebuild the country.
Xi and Kim agreed that “the shared battles of the 1950s remained an eternal historical memory for both nations”, according to state news agency Xinhua.
They pledged to jointly maintain the memorial facilities and expand revolutionary education to ensure that the spirit of the war effort would be carried forward and the traditional friendship passed down through generations.