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Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un in Beijing, it was confirmed on Wednesday morning.
Kim paid an unofficial visit to China from March 25 to 28 at the invitation of President Xi, Xinhua reported. The trip to Beijing was Kim’s first known foreign visit and his first meeting with a head of state since becoming DPRK leader in 2011.
Xinhua reported that the leaders acknowledged progress in the Korean Peninsula situation, while Kim stressed that he was committed to denuclearization and confirmed that he was willing to attend a summit with the United States.
Xi and Kim also highlighted the importance of the China-DPRK relationship.
Korean Peninsula
Kim arrived in China ahead of a meeting with Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in scheduled for April, and planned face-to-face talks with US President Donald Trump penciled in to take place by the end of May.
Xi acknowledged that positive changes had taken place on the Korean Peninsula this year, and said China will continue to play a constructive role on the issue and work with all parties, including the DPRK, toward a thaw of the situation on the peninsula.
President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R) meet with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (2nd L) and his wife Ri Sol Ju at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.
The Chinese president reiterated that denuclearization of the peninsula, safeguarding peace and stability and solving problems through dialogue and consultation were Beijing’s goals. He urged all parties to support the improvement of inter-Korean ties and to facilitate peace talks.
Kim said that the situation on the Korean Peninsula was improving because the DPRK had taken the initiative to ease tensions and put forward proposals for peace talks, Xinhua reported.
"It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearization on the peninsula, in accordance with the will of late President Kim Il Sung and late General Secretary Kim Jong Il," Kim said.
The DPRK leader added that his country was determined to transform inter-Korean ties into a relationship of reconciliation and cooperation, and reiterated he was willing to hold talks with Moon. The DPRK and the ROK are still technically at war, because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.
Kim also confirmed that he was willing to have a dialogue with the United States and hold a summit between the two countries.
"The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realization of peace," the DPRK leader added.
China-DPRK ties
Developing the China-DPRK relationship “accords with the common interests of both sides,” Xi said, adding that ties “should not and will not change because of any single event at a particular time.”
"No matter how the international and regional situation changes, we will both firmly grasp the global development trend and the overall situation of the China-DPRK relationship, strengthen our high-level exchanges, deepen our strategic communication, expand our exchanges and cooperation, and benefit the people of both countries and the people of all countries," the Chinese president added.
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un visits an exhibition showcasing the innovation achievements of the Chinese Academy of Sciences since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Xi and Kim also stressed the importance of high-level exchanges, through exchange of visits, as well as sending special envoys and letters to each other.
Kim said the fact that he chose China as the destination of his first overseas visit showed his will to carry forward the tradition of DPRK-China friendship, and how he valued the friendship between the two countries.
"I have had successful talks with General Secretary Xi Jinping on developing relations between the two parties and the two countries, our respective domestic situation, maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and other issues," he said.
"In this spring full of happiness and hopes, I believe my first meeting with General Secretary Xi Jinping will yield abundant fruits of DPRK-China friendship, and facilitate peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”
Xi and Kim held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan also held a welcoming banquet for Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju and watched an art performance together.
(CGTN)
