Xi calls on China, DPRK to keep advancing socialist cause, modernization

China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should ensure that the development of bilateral relations always helps consolidate their respective socialist causes and promote their modernization drives, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet of the DPRK, in Beijing. Pak is also a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and vice president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK.

Xi said that while the current international situation is volatile and intertwined, China and the DPRK should maintain strategic resolve, enhance strategic confidence and accelerate the implementation of the consensus reached by him and General Secretary Kim Jong Un, ensuring that the relations between the two parties and the two countries keep pace with the times.

The two countries should steadily advance practical cooperation, build greater public support and make good use of their shared revolutionary history and resources so that young people of both countries can remember the historic contributions of the Chinese People's Volunteers and the great China-DPRK friendship can be passed down through generations, Xi said.

Both sides should strengthen strategic coordination, resolutely defend their respective sovereignty, security and development interests, and create a favorable external environment for both countries to achieve further progress along the socialist path suited to their respective national conditions, he added.

Xi recalled his state visit to the DPRK last month, during which he and Kim provided the strategic guidance for consolidating and growing the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK and continuously enriching it in keeping with the times.

The China-DPRK relations have always been defined by lasting friendship, sharing weal and woe, and mutual help, Xi said.

Noting that the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance laid important political and legal foundations for cementing the friendship forged by the two peoples in struggle and blood, Xi said, as agreed by him and Kim, both sides should take the joint and grand commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the treaty as an opportunity to always bear in mind the original aspiration and mission of the older generations of leaders of the two parties and countries and encourage the two peoples to carry forward the traditional friendship so that the bilateral relations will continue to thrive in the new historical period.

Pak first conveyed warm greetings from Kim to Xi, noting that on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, Kim wishes Xi new and continuous achievements in the lofty cause of leading the CPC and the Chinese people.

Pak extended warm congratulations on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC and on Xi leading the Chinese people in achieving remarkable development accomplishments.

He noted that Xi's first overseas visit this year was to the DPRK, and the top leaders of the two parties and countries had a historic meeting, setting a new milestone in bilateral relations and further consolidating public support for DPRK-China friendship.

Noting that the treaty provides a strong legal guarantee for advancing bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, Pak said, guided by the spirit of the treaty, the two countries have supported each other, jointly advanced the cause of socialism and worked hand in hand to safeguard regional and world peace.

The solemn commemorative activities held by the two countries for the treaty's 65th anniversary once again demonstrated that DPRK-China friendship has withstood the test of changing international circumstances and is of great strategic significance, he added.

Noting that Kim gave the instruction of developing DPRK-China relations into the strongest strategic relationship, Pak said the DPRK side will resolutely implement the important consensus between the top leaders of the two parties and countries, firmly support China in safeguarding its core interests on issues such as the Taiwan question, and make every effort to bring DPRK-China solidarity, friendship, and the socialist cause of the two countries to a new and higher level.

(With input from Xinhua)