PYONGYANG — A senior Chinese delegation concluded a three-day visit to North Korea on Friday after holding high-level talks aimed at advancing bilateral cooperation, the latest in a series of exchanges underscoring closer ties between the neighboring countries.
The delegation was led by Wang Huning, China's fourth-ranking official and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, at the invitation of the Workers' Party of Korea and the North Korean government, according to Chinese and North Korean state media.
During the visit, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met Wang and reaffirmed the importance of implementing agreements reached during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang in June, the first by a Chinese leader in seven years. Chinese state media said Wang conveyed Xi's greetings to Kim, while Kim asked him to return his greetings to the Chinese president.
Wang also held talks with Jo Yong Won, a senior secretary of the ruling Workers' Party, focusing on expanding political dialogue, economic cooperation, cultural exchanges and coordination between the two ruling parties. According to North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), both sides pledged to implement the consensus reached by their leaders and strengthen strategic communication.
As part of the visit, Wang toured North Korea's Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist resort alongside senior North Korean officials. KCNA reported that the Chinese delegation received briefings on the project's development and future prospects. The resort is a flagship tourism initiative promoted by Kim as part of broader efforts to develop the country's tourism sector.
The visit coincided with commemorations marking the 65th anniversary of the 1961 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between China and North Korea, the only formal mutual defense treaty still maintained by Beijing. The delegation also visited monuments honoring Chinese People's Volunteers who fought during the Korean War, according to official reports.
The diplomatic exchanges follow Xi's June trip to North Korea, during which the two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation across political, economic and cultural fields. Analysts say the renewed contacts reflect Beijing's efforts to reinforce ties with its longtime ally while North Korea continues to expand its relationship with Russia.
Chinese and North Korean state media said Wang's delegation completed its official goodwill visit on Friday. No additional bilateral meetings or agreements beyond those announced during the visit were immediately confirmed.
