‘Eternal friendship’ Zhao earlier emphasised the need to “open up a new chapter of China-DPRK friendship along with the times”, in a speech at the opening ceremony on Friday, which he attended alongside North Korean counterpart Choe Ryong Hae, according to North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency.North Korea’s Choe said on Friday that the two countries’ relationship “has greeted a new heyday under the wise leadership” of their leaders, KCNA said.Choe and Zhao were seen sitting next to each other watching performances by what KCNA said were “prestigious art troupes” of the two nations at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, AFP footage showed.Some performers wore colourful traditional Korean and Chinese garments, and what appeared to be the final moment of the event highlighted a massive image of the countries’ flags, accompanied by the phrase “eternal friendship”.South Korean local media reports said this week that Zhao’s trip could include planning for Kim’s next potential state visit to Beijing.Kim last met President Xi in 2019 before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, making the Pyongyang meeting between Zhao and Choe one of the most high-level meetings in years.The Chinese delegation was seen off by senior North Korean officials as they boarded their plane departing Pyongyang on Saturday, Xinhua said.North Korea’s rhetoric towards the South has been in stark contrast to the friendly relations with Beijing.This year, Kim has declared Seoul his country’s “principal enemy”, jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war over “even 0.001 mm” of territorial infringement.China’s state-run news agency Xinhua said Friday that Zhao and Choe discussed the “situation on the Korean peninsula”, and Zhao expressed Beijing’s willingness to “intensify legislative exchanges and cooperation”.



Source link