China's fourth-ranking official, Wang Huning, held talks in Pyongyang with Jo Yong Won, a senior secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, as Beijing and Pyongyang seek to strengthen strategic alignment amid what both sides described as a turbulent international climate.
Wang, who arrived in the North Korean capital on Wednesday at the invitation of Pyongyang's government, framed the visit around the 65th anniversary of the China–North Korea friendship treaty, saying Beijing wants to push bilateral relations to a higher stage. Jo told Wang that the current global situation demands greater unity and reaffirmed Pyongyang's willingness to expand strategic communication and tactical cooperation with Beijing. The two sides discussed deepening cooperation in trade, culture, public welfare, and party-to-party exchanges.
The trip follows Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to North Korea in June and North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song's recent trip to Beijing, marking a rapid succession of high-level exchanges between the two allies.