China, DPRK to increase high-level exchanges

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China will increase high-level exchanges with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to strengthen strategic communications and expand cooperation, Spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lu Kang said on Wednesday.

Lu spoke about the significance of the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and the DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, stressing that the two sides have a tradition of high-level exchanges.

"In fact, high-level exchanges have played a leading role in promoting bilateral relations. During this visit, President Xi says he is willing to keep close contact with Kim through various forms... such as exchanging visits, and sending special envoys and letters to each other," Lu added.

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang answers questions during regular press conference in Beijing, China, March 28, 2018. /MOFA Photo‍

Lu said the meetings between the two leaders have shown that both sides attached high importance to party-to-party and state-to-state relations.

He mentioned that friendship is a common treasure, as Xi has pointed out, noting that safeguarding, consolidating and developing China-DPRK relations are unswerving guidelines for the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government.

Xi spoke highly of the efforts made by the DPRK side to improve the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

The spokesperson said that Xi highlighted that China will continue to play its constructive role and stand ready to work with all parties, including the DPRK, to jointly strengthen China's proposed dual-track approach and other suggestions, and work for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the establishment of long-term peace and stability in the region and the world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un meet in Beijing. /VCG Photo

Kim on his way back to the DPRK sent a message of thanks to Xi, KCNA news agency has reported.

In the message Kim said that the "socialist cause of the peoples of the two countries has entered the phase of new development, marking a wonderful occasion that provided an epoch-making landmark for carrying forward and developing the traditional DPRK-China friendship as required by the new era."

Russia on Wednesday welcomed the meeting between Xi and Kim as an important step to strengthen positive changes on the Korean Peninsula. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow will continue to improve cooperation with China to resolve tensions on the peninsula through "purely diplomatic means."

The White House said in a statement that China has briefed the US government on the meetings and noted that communication included a personal message from Xi to US President Donald Trump.

CGTN screenshot of Trump's post on Twitter.

"Received message last night from Xi Jinping of China that his meeting with Kim Jong Un went very well and that Kim looks forward to his meeting with me. In the meantime, and unfortunately, maximum sanctions and pressure must be maintained at all cost!" Trump later wrote in a tweet.