China, North Korea boast closer ties

A North Korean art troupe performs in Beijing in this photo from China's Xinhua news agency. / Xinhua

By Kim Bo-eun

Chinese President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan watched a performance by a North Korean art troupe, Sunday, designed to show off the two countries' close ties.

The visit by the art troupe led by Ri Su-yong, director of the Workers' Party's International Relations Department, came less than a month after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held his fourth summit with Xi in China from Jan. 7 through Jan. 10. The troupe arrived in China, Thursday, and held their first performance Saturday.

In a meeting with Ri before the performance, Xi said the visit by the North Korean art troupe was an important cultural exchange event that celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of ties between their countries.

He mentioned his four meetings with the North Korean leader, and noted that the two had reached an important consensus on developing bilateral ties.

Marking the anniversary, Xi said he would make efforts with North Korea for regional and global peace and stability.

Ri said the visit of the North Korean art troupe showed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's “great affection” for the Chinese president.

A number of high-level Chinese officials attended the performance Sunday, including Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Wang Huning, a member of the Communist Party of China's Politburo Standing Committee, and Yang Jiechi, director of foreign affairs of the party.

There were no references to nuclear or missile capabilities in the performances held Saturday and Sunday.

Xi was reported to have gone onto the stage to shake hands with members of the troupe.

It was the first performance by a North Korean group in Beijing since a troupe led by North Korean singer Hyon Song-wol came in December 2015 but abruptly left after canceling the performance.

In April last year, a Chinese art troupe performed in Pyongyang.

The People's Daily reported on Xi attending the performance in China on its front page, which was seen as a means to globally promote the two countries' bilateral relations.

Strategic ties between North Korea and China have become increasingly important as Pyongyang engages in denuclearization talks with the U.S.

China has stressed it wishes to play a 'constructive' role in the process of achieving denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

There is speculation that Xi and Ri may have discussed the planned second summit between North Korea and the U.S.