China-DPRK Ties: President Xi Jinping meets with visiting DPRK delegation

World
Europe

01:28

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has met with a delegation of officials from the DPRK's Workers' Party of Korea. Timothy Ulrich has the story.

The DPRK delegation was led by Pak Thae Song, a member of the Political Bureau and vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee.

President Xi said he believes the two countries will use the visit as an opportunity to promote stronger ties. The leader of China's Communist Party also expressed support for the DPRK's efforts to develop its economy and improve relations with South Korea.

The visit comes after recent positive interactions between Xi and Kim Jong Un, the leader of the DPRK. The two have met twice this year. Their first face-to-face came in late March when Kim made his first trip to China. Xi and Kim agreed to boost bilateral cooperation and exchanges.

And last week, the two met again in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian. Xi told Kim China supports the shift in the DPRK's focus to pursuing economic development, in a way that suits the country's current conditions.

According to Pak Thae Song, the visit is expected to help the Workers' Party delegation better understand China's economy, as well as measures related to China's reform and opening up. Timothy Ulrich, CGTN.