President Xi Jinping said it was China's unwavering policy to upgrade ties with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and the two countries would work together to fight hegemony and attempts to revive militarism, according to comments published in the DPRK's state newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Monday.

Xi said in a commentary that the two neighbours would strengthen exchanges in all areas to inject strong momentum into developing relations and safeguarding a fair and just global order.

"We must oppose hegemony, authoritarianism and all attempts and conspiracies to revive militarism that endanger regional security and stability," Xi said.

He also pledged to work with Pyongyang to promote fair and orderly multilateralism and inclusive economic globalisation that would benefit the world in building a community of shared human destiny.

Relations between China and the DPRK stand at a new historical starting point, facing new development opportunities and shouldering new missions of the times, Xi added.

The two sides should deepen strategic communication and firmly steer bilateral relations in the right direction, the president said, calling for upholding the fine tradition of high-level exchanges between the two parties and the two countries, and maintaining close contacts like relatives.

Xi is expected to arrive in the DPRK on Monday for a two-day visit, his first in seven years, and hold talks with leader Kim Jong Un.

Xi hosted Kim and other leaders last year at a massive military parade in Beijing, where he stood with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pyongyang has since resumed crossings at the Chinese border and increased exchanges, which were frozen during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Xinhua/Reuters)



Edited by Cecil Wong