On June 8, during his state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China, published an article signed by him in the North Korean newspaper “Ribao News”. The full text of the article is as follows:
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the "China-Korea Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance Treaty". At the invitation of Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party and State Councilor, I am about to conduct an official visit to Korea. This is my second visit to the beautiful country in 7 years. I look forward to discussing China-Korea traditional friendship with General Secretary Kim Jong Un and planning the future development of China-Korea relations.
China and North Korea are socialist friendly neighbors who support each other and share a common destiny. The traditional friendship between China and North Korea is a precious asset shared by the two parties, two countries, and their peoples. No matter how times change or the international situation evolves, the traditional friendship between China and North Korea remains unshakable and ever-lasting, constantly brimming with vitality and vigor.
The leadership at the highest level is the greatest advantage in China-Korea relations. Historically, the older generation of leaders between China and Korea have been close and trusting with each other. In recent years, I have met with General Secretary Kim Jong Un six times, maintaining close strategic communication and jointly planning the development of China-Korea relations. I firmly believe that with the leadership at the highest level guiding China-Korea relations, this ship will surely navigate through difficulties and move forward bravely.
The common socialist ideal is the distinctive foundation of Sino-Korean relations. Both the Communist Party of China and the Workers' Party of Korea are Marxist ruling parties, and China and Korea are partners on the path of socialism. I firmly believe that by working together to promote the development of their respective parties and countries, and by continuously strengthening practical exchanges and cooperation, we will surely contribute to the prosperity and strength of the nation, as well as the happiness and well-being of the people. This will further highlight the significant advantages and bright prospects of socialism.
The traditional friendship of shared destiny is the profound foundation of China-Korea relations. During the arduous years of striving for national independence and liberation, the people of China and Korea shared joys and sorrows, relied on each other in life and death, and forged a great combat friendship through their blood. In the development of their respective socialist causes, the people of both countries stood side by side, sharing both happiness and hardships, thus vividly embodying the comradeship of trust, unity, and mutual assistance. I firmly believe that the traditional friendship between China and Korea, which has withstood the tests of time and international changes, will continue to be passed down from generation to generation and endure forever.
High-level strategic cooperation is the contemporary essence of Sino-Korean relations. Promoting long-term stability in the region and world peace and stability are the common pursuits of both parties, countries, and peoples. Both sides firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and work together to maintain regional peace and order, international fairness and justice, as well as the post-war international order. I believe that by continuously deepening strategic cooperation between China and Korea, we will surely walk the right path of peaceful development and win-win cooperation.
In recent years, facing the accelerating global changes and intertwined international challenges, China and North Korea have focused on doing their own things well. They have forged ahead on the path of socialism and made unremitting efforts. China has achieved a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan period and is striving to create a new situation in Chinese-style modernization. It is moving forward towards the second centenary goal. The Korean Workers' Party has successfully held its ninth congress, making strategic plans and major arrangements for the development of the Party and the country, and ushering in a new era of comprehensive socialist development.
Maintaining, strengthening, and developing good Sino-Korean relations has always been the firm policy of the Chinese Party and government. At present, Sino-Korean relations stand at a new historical starting point, face new development opportunities, and bear a new mission of the era. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Korean side to grasp Sino-Korean relations from a strategic perspective and promote them to keep pace with the times and achieve greater development.
— Deepen strategic communication, firmly grasp the correct direction of China-Japan relations. We must maintain a high level of exchange and cooperation between the two parties at the political and military levels, just like family members who regularly visit each other. Using the 65th anniversary signing of the Treaty on Friendly Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between China and Japan as an opportunity, strengthen communication and cooperation between government departments at all levels, implement important consensus between both sides, and inject strong impetus into the development of China-Japan relations.
—Strengthen communication, mutual consultation and learning, and jointly promote the development of socialist undertakings in both nations towards steady progress. We must uphold the unyielding path of our party's ideological consistency and never waver from our original intention. Through mutually supporting each other, we will continue on the socialist path that suits the unique characteristics of each country. We are committed to firmly safeguarding the political security of both nations. We should adhere to and strengthen the overall leadership of the Party, expand cooperation between the two parties, deepen the exchange and mutual learning of governance experience, and guide socialist undertakings in both nations towards continuous victory.
— To expand pragmatic cooperation, continuously enhance the well-being and friendship of the people of both countries. We should strengthen alignment between development strategies of both countries, explore potential for collaboration across various fields, share opportunities, jointly promote development, and benefit the people of both countries more effectively. By using flexible and diverse forms, actively maintain friendly exchanges, deepen mutual understanding, strengthen emotional bonds, and pass the baton of friendly relations between China and North Korea from generation to generation.
Close cooperation and coordination are essential, especially in the face of changing international dynamics. We must uphold international fairness and justice as enshrined in the United Nations framework. We will strengthen strategic communication and collaboration to maintain the international system centered on the UN and an international order based on international law. We oppose hegemonic tendencies and power politics, and we must reject all attempts to resurrect militarism or undermine regional security stability. We will work together to advance a more multipolar world with equality, mutual benefit, and inclusive economic globalization. We need to implement the four global initiatives and join hands in building a human destiny community.
Time fortifies us; true gold is revealed in the fire. We are willing to join hands with our North Korean comrades and write new chapters, so that the traditional friendship between China and North Korea can shine with even greater brilliance in this era. This will contribute more to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.
