China and North Korea Reinforce Alliance in Beijing Meeting

On Friday, Xi Jinping, the President of China, met with North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song in Beijing as part of a three-day visit. This visit is significant as it commemorates the 65th anniversary of the China-North Korea friendship treaty, originally signed on July 11, 1961.

Pak Thae Song's arrival in Beijing follows Xi's trip to Pyongyang last month, marking the first visit by a North Korean leader in seven years. During the meeting, both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in political, economic, and cultural areas.

The two countries are expected to increase high-level diplomatic exchanges and restore passenger rail services and direct flights between their capitals by late 2025. Pak Thae Song, who was appointed North Korea's premier in December 2024, has a long career within the Worker’s Party of Korea and has worked closely with Kim Jong Un since he assumed power in 2011.