Suspicion is that the meeting may take place this Thursday
Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to exchange “in-depth points of view” about ties between the two countries and discuss “issues of mutual interest,” Beijing said Thursday.
At a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed the meeting, but without specifying the date. The meeting may take place later this Thursday, given that Kim is visiting the Chinese capital.
Kim’s presence in Beijing, where he attended Wednesday’s military parade, which signaled the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific, as well as the meeting with XI, “are of great importance,” said Guo.
“China and North Korea are willing to reinforce strategic communication, intensify exchanges and cooperation, deepen the sharing of experiences on governance and promote the development of their socialist causes, as well as traditional friendship relationships,” he added.
Kim moved to Beijing on a trip of almost 24 hours aboard his armored train to watch the parade in Tiananmen Square, in what was his first participation in a multilateral event with other world leaders.
The North Korean leader was sitting on the left of Xi Jinping, who had Russian President Vladimir Putin to the right, in a symbolic image that marked the first joint public appearance of the three heads of state since 1958.
Xi’s decision to position Kim by his side may reflect an tacit acceptance of the new alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow, which includes military cooperation and an assistance agreement in case of external aggression.
Kim’s visit to Beijing is also interpreted as an attempt to restore tune with China, after tensions caused by North Korea’s military support to Russia in the Ukraine war.
Kim also traveled with his daughter, whose growing public exposure has feeded speculation about a possible dynastic succession in the North Korean leadership.
