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Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his historic two-day state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday.
The trip, Xi's first as general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of state, is highlighted in three aspects – traditional friendship, future development, and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Friendship in 70 years
The historic visit, the first in 14 years by a Chinese president, comes at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
The DPRK was one of the first countries to set up diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China (PRC), just five days after the PRC was founded on October 1, 1949.
Shining moments during 70 years
China and the DPRK established diplomatic relations in 1949
The Chinese People's Volunteers fought with the DPRK army in the Korean War against the ROK army and U.S.-led UN forces during the year 1950-1953
The first DPRK leader Kim Il Sung visited China numerous times, meeting with Chinese leaders including Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai
The second DPRK leader Kim Jong Il also made several visits to China and Xi Jinping visited the DPRK in 2008 as China's vice president
The DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un has made four visits to China between March 2018 and January 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Kim Jong Un, leader of the DPRK, in Beijing, March 25, 2018. /Xinhua Photo
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Kim Jong Un in Dalian, Liaoning Province, May 8, 2018. /Xinhua Photo
Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R), and his wife Peng Liyuan (R) meet with Kim Jong Un (2nd L), and his wife Ri Sol Ju at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, June 19, 2018. /Xinhua Photo
Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) holds a welcoming ceremony for DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (R) before their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, January 8, 2019. /Xinhua Photo
Together with the latest meeting between the two leaders, the five gatherings in 15 months demonstrate the vitality of the traditional China-DPRK friendship.
As Xi said during his meeting at the state guest house with Kim, the trip has realized the historical exchange of visits by the top leaders of the two parties and countries.
New chapter ahead
On the purpose of turning the blueprint of the bilateral ties for a new era into reality, President Xi called on the two sides to work together to implement the various agreements reached during his visit this week in areas including education, sports, media and people-to-people exchanges.
Read more:
The reset of China-DPRK relations
He stressed that China will firmly support the DPRK's socialist enterprise, and the implementation of its new strategic line which focused on economic development and people's livelihood.
The school gate of Kim Hyong Jik University of Education in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK, March 25, 2019. /Xinhua Photo
In the past year, the DPRK has unveiled a new strategic line, and achieved notable progress on multiple fronts through economic reforms.
China remains the biggest trading partner of the DPRK.
Steady progress was made in win-win bilateral cooperation projects including "the Rason Economic and Trade Zone and the Hwanggumphyong Economic Zone."
Peace on Korean Peninsula
Over the past few months, the positive momentum in solving the nuclear issue on the Peninsula has lost some steam following the February Trump-Kim in Hanoi, Vietnam, which ended with no agreement.
President Xi reaffirmed Beijing's support for Pyongyang in striving for the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and Kim vowed to keep his patience, while hoping to see relevant parties meet each other halfway.
The two leaders expressed determination to strengthen communication and coordination so as to push for progress in the consultations about the Peninsula issue.
Read more:
Sino-DPRK ties could jump-start stalled denuclearization talks
Xi Jinping holds talks with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, DPRK, June 20, 2019. /Xinhua Photo
For decades, China has been a staunch supporter of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of a peace mechanism through diplomatic means.
As Xi said in a signed article ahead of his visit, China will always hold a firm position on consolidating and developing China-DPRK relations "no matter how the international situation changes."