Kim Jong-un stressed strengthening long-standing relations between Pyongyang and Beijing during his visit to China
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, during a visit to the border city of Dandong, China, emphasized maintaining and strengthening the long-standing relations between Pyongyang and Beijing.
North Korean state media reported on Sunday that Kim arrived in China on Saturday accompanied by a number of senior party and government officials. He was met by senior Chinese official Wang Huning in Dandong; Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a number of other officials were also present at the meeting.
During this visit, Kim paid tribute to the Chinese soldiers who fought alongside North Korea in the 1950-1953 war at the Korean War Memorial; he pointed to China’s support in that war and emphasized the need to maintain and strengthen the historical friendship between the two countries.
The North Korean leader entered Dandong city in northeast China’s Liaoning province via the newly opened bridge over the Amnok River; the 3,260-meter-long four-lane bridge connects Dandong to the North Korean border town of Sinuiju.
The construction of the bridge, which had been delayed for about 12 years, was finally completed and opened this month. China had invested about $310 million in its construction, but the lack of completion of access roads and customs facilities on the North Korean side had delayed its operation.
