Seoul: North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song has met with his Chinese counterpart to discuss ways to expand exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, Pyongyang's state media reported Sunday. The meeting took place in Beijing as part of an event commemorating the 65th anniversary of the signing of a friendship treaty between North Korea and China. According to Yonhap News Agency, Pak met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the occasion of this significant anniversary. Discussions centered on expanding exchanges and cooperation across various sectors, aligning with the agreement reached by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit talks in Pyongyang last month. Pak emphasized that relations between Pyongyang and Beijing have "reached a new high level," expressing a commitment to strengthen their friendship and solidarity. In response, Li affirmed the "steadfast" policy of the Chinese government to defend and consolidate relations with Pyongyang, describing the N orth Korea-China relationship as "neighbors sharing destiny." A North Korean delegation led by Pak arrived in Beijing on Friday to participate in the anniversary event. During his visit, Pak also paid a courtesy call on President Xi and met with Premier Li and other top-ranking Chinese officials. The treaty, marking an enduring friendship, was originally signed on July 11, 1961, by late North Korean founder and former leader Kim Il-sung and then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.
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