Pyongyang: North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song has committed to strengthening bilateral relations with China in a message to Chinese Premier Li Qiang, following his return from a three-day visit to China for a significant treaty anniversary, as reported by state media on Monday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Premier Pak led a North Korean delegation back to Pyongyang after attending an event in China marking the 65th anniversary of the signing of the friendship treaty between the two nations, as stated by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). In his thank-you message to Premier Li, Pak expressed North Korea's readiness to collaborate with "the Chinese comrades to comprehensively expand and develop the traditional DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations as required by the new era true to the noble intention of the top leaders of the DPRK and China," according to the KCNA. DPRK refers to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
During the visit, Pak engaged with several high-ranking Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, Premier Li, and Cai Qi, director of the general office of the Chinese Communist Party's central committee. The visit also included participation in a ceremony commemorating the treaty's anniversary, as reported by the KCNA. The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, signed on July 11, 1961, stipulates military support between the two countries in the event of an attack.
The North Korean delegation returned home on Sunday after visiting the Communist Party of China (CPC) History Exhibition Hall, which chronicles the party's inception and development. In the guestbook of the exhibition, Pak expressed his hopes for "the Chinese people to continue achieving fresh successes in building a modern socialist country" under the CPC's leadership.
Additionally, the delegation toured the Beijing Rail Transit Command Center and a green energy demonstration site operated by China Resources Recycling Group Co. in Tianjin.