China and North Korea Seek Closer Ties: High-Level Meeting Raises Questions

Liu Jianchao, Director of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, met with the North Korean ambassador to China, Ri Ryong-nam, on the 19th./Beijing Daily.

It is reported that Liu Jianchao, Director of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and a highly probable candidate for the next Chinese foreign minister, met with North Korean Ambassador to China Ri Ryong Nam after he visited the U.S., to discuss North-South cooperation and the Korean Peninsula issue.

According to Beijing diplomatic sources, knowledgeable of the relationship between the two countries, on the 21st, Liu met with Ri on the 19th and said, “China hopes to promote traditional friendship with North Korea on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the ‘Sino-North Korean Treaty of the Friendship, Co-operation, and Mutual Assistance.’ We also want to deepen strategic communication and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.” He added, “We hope to drive the continuous development of China-North Korea relations while safeguarding regional peace and stability.”

He then emphasized that “the relationship between the two parties plays an important guiding role in the development of China-North Korea relations.” He added, “The International Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party wants to join hands with the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the North Korean Embassy to China to strengthen communication and cooperation between the two parties. We also hope to make necessary contributions to developing bilateral relations.”

In response, Ri reportedly informed Liu of the situation at the 9th Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held at the end of last December. He also confirmed his position that he would “make efforts for the development of relations between the two parties and countries, doing the role of the communicator of them, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the Year of North Korea-China Friendship,” according to the media.

However, the media did not reveal what specific information Ri provided about the Workers’ Party’s plenary meeting. Nevertheless, considering that Liu had discussed current issues, including the Korean Peninsula issue, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken a few days ago, it is possible to speculate that opinions on issues such as North Korea’s change in policy towards the South were exchanged.

In addition, Ri congratulated China on its achievements in politics, economy, culture, etc., and said, “North Korea firmly supports China’s ongoing struggle to protect its core interests, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and human rights. We hope to uphold and fulfill the important common understanding between the highest leaders of the two parties and countries together with China,” according to the media.