Pyongyang: Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday, marking his first visit to North Korea and the first by a Chinese premier in 16 years. Li’s visit coincides with celebrations for the 80th anniversary of North Korea’s ruling party.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Li’s arrival in Pyongyang signifies the first goodwill visit by a Chinese premier since former Premier Wen Jiabao’s trip in October 2009. The visit follows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s recent trip to Beijing, where he attended China’s military parade alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
During his visit, Li emphasized the “profound traditional friendship” between China and North Korea. He pledged to enhance strategic communications and maintain close exchanges with Pyongyang. “In recent years, under the strategic guidance and personal efforts of President Xi Jinping and leader Kim Jong-un, China-DPRK relations have been brimming with new dynamism and vitality,” Li stated, using the official name for North Korea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Li reiterated China’s commitment to working with North Korea to implement the agreements reached by Kim and Xi during their talks in Beijing last month. He emphasized the importance of strengthening strategic communications, maintaining close exchanges, and fostering friendly cooperation to contribute to regional and global peace.
North Korea is preparing for large-scale celebrations for the party anniversary, which will include a military parade and mass games. High-ranking representatives from various countries have been invited to attend. Among the attendees will be Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, and Vietnam’s leader, To Lam.
Historically, China has sent high-ranking officials to North Korea for significant events. In 2015, Liu Yunshan, then a member of China’s Politburo Standing Committee, attended a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of North Korea’s ruling party. The current celebrations continue to highlight the ongoing diplomatic engagements between China, North Korea, and other international participants.