On Friday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un hosted a reception for the Party and Government Delegation of the People’s Republic of China, headed by Li Hongzhong, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, thanked for the message from President Xi Jinping, during the conversation, the parties agreed to continue developing strategic cooperation and jointly respond to the “difficult” international situation, the Central Telegraph Agency of the DPRK (CTAC) reports.
⠀
It is reported that Kim Jong-un held a conversation with members of the delegation “in a warm atmosphere” and took pictures with them as a keepsake.
⠀
“Kim Jong-un has repeatedly expressed his gratitude for the fact that esteemed comrade (President of the People’s Republic of China) Xi Jinping sent a party and government delegation … to commemorate the common victory of Korea and China and a personal message of best wishes,” the CTAC statement says.
⠀
The North Korean leader also thanked China for its “unwavering” support for the party and people of the DPRK, noting that the Korean people will “forever remember and praise” the military exploits and contributions of Chinese volunteers who fought alongside the people of the DPRK “in the same trench.” Kim Jong-un also rejoiced at the fact that China’s status in the international arena is rising “day by day.”
⠀
“During the conversation, the positions of the parties and governments of the DPRK and China were once again confirmed … to proactively respond to the difficult international situation through close strategic and tactical interaction between the spirit of the countries, continuously develop friendship and comradely cooperation, and raise them to a new high level,” the message says.
⠀
Also, a reception was held in honor of the delegation, which also took place in a “warm atmosphere full of comradely commonwealth.” It was attended by members of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea Cho Yong-won and Choi Ryong-hae, secretaries of the Central Committee of the party Lee Il-hwan and Oh Soo-yong, Foreign Minister Choi Sung-hee, department head of the Central Committee of the Party of Korea Kim Sung-nam, deputy head of the department of the WPK Central Committee and sister of Kim Jong-un – Kim Yo-jong, as well as senior officials of the respective areas.
⠀
At the same time, on July 27, on the occasion of the Victory Day in the Great Patriotic Liberation War, as the truce in the Korean War of 1950-1953 is called in the DPRK, a state reception was held for war veterans and honored workers of the war years, where the Chinese delegation and Li Hongzhong were also invited, and Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun. The reception was also attended by party and government personnel, including members of the Presidium of the Politburo of the WPK Central Committee Kim Dok Hoon and Choi Ryong Hae, senior officials of law enforcement agencies and others.
