China's ambassador stresses cooperation with N. Korea for regional peace
SEOUL, June 21 (Yonhap) -- China's top envoy to North Korea stressed the importance of cooperation between the two allies on regional peace, stability and prosperity on the occasion of the second anniversary of President Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang, the North's state media showed Monday.
In an op-ed piece to the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North's ruling Workers' Party, Chinese Ambassador Li Jinjun also said that China and North Korea should expand their communication as their relations are faced with a "new starting point."
"China and North Korea are well aware of the importance of peace as they have gone through tribulations all together," the ambassador said in the piece.
"They will actively contribute to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, while strengthening communication at every possible level, and discuss issues necessary for long-term stability," he added.
Faced with a "new starting point," he said that the two countries should look forward, strengthen "strategic communication" and expand cooperation "at working levels" in a way that would deepen friendly relations and realize the consensus that their leaders have agreed upon.
Mentioning that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party, Li also emphasized that China has not changed at all in its commitment to developing relations between the two allies.
The rare op-ed by the Chinese ambassador in state media appears aimed at stressing ties with North Korea amid deepening rivalry between China and the United States.
It also came after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un urged his country to be ready for both dialogue and confrontation with the U.S. at a key party meeting held last week.
Xi visited North Korea in June 2019, becoming the first Chinese leader to visit the communist neighbor in 14 years. Xi and Kim held a summit and promised to work together in advancing regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, Li has been said to have been replaced by Wang Yajun, a senior party official, but the newly appointed envoy has not entered North Korea yet apparently due to coronavirus-prompted tight border controls between the two countries.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Ateez member Yunho throws first pitch at MLB match between Dodgers, Mets
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
N. Korea calls envisioned U.S. aid to Ukraine 'hallucinogen'
-
N. Korea calls on party propaganda officials to work harder
-
N.K. leader's sister slams joint S. Korea-U.S. military drills
-
Experts see possibility of N.K. conducting nuclear test before U.S. presidential vote
-
Details of meeting between Yoon, opposition leader undecided: presidential office
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis
-
N. Korea calls envisioned U.S. aid to Ukraine 'hallucinogen'
-
(LEAD) Hybe to file complaint against sublabel executives over internal conflict
-
10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification
-
S. Korea reports highest suicide rate, ultra fine dust level among OECD nations: data
-
S. Korea eliminated in Olympic football qualifiers as poor defense, undisciplined play prove costly
-
U.S. will take steps for three-way engagement on nuclear deterrence with S. Korea, Japan: Campbell