Current:Home > ContactChinese foreign minister visits North Korea in latest diplomacy between countries -Triumph Financial Guides
Chinese foreign minister visits North Korea in latest diplomacy between countries
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:31:46
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Friday it was hosting a visit by a Chinese government delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, as it continues its efforts to strengthen ties with Beijing and Moscow in the face of deepening confrontations with Washington.
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said Sun’s delegation arrived in the capital, Pyongyang, on Thursday after crossing the land border between the countries. The report didn’t provide further details about the visit.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been trying to boost the visibility of its partnership with China and Russia as he tries to break out of diplomatic isolation and strengthen his regional footing by joining a united front against the United States.
Kim traveled to Russia’s Far East in September for a rare summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and some experts say he is also likely seeking a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
While Kim has prioritized his ties with Russia, which has raised concerns about an arms cooperation that would help fuel Putin’s war on Ukraine, the North Korean leader has also invited senior Chinese officials to major state events in recent months while vowing to strengthen bilateral relations.
A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong attended the celebrations for North Korea’s 75th founding anniversary last September, shortly before Kim’s trip to Russia. In July, Kim invited Chinese ruling party official Li Hongzhong and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to a major military parade in Pyongyang, where he rolled out his most powerful, potentially nuclear-capable missiles targeting the United States, South Korea and Japan.
Sun met with North Korean Vice Foreign Minster Pak Myong Ho last month in Beijing where they discussed strengthening bilateral ties and coordinating over unspecified “issues of common interest.” Pak then also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as they pledged to expand friendly exchanges and strengthening “strategic cooperation” in 2024, as the countries mark their 75th anniversary of establishing bilateral ties.
Sun’s visit to North Korea comes as U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan was planning talks with Wang in Bangkok this week in the latest high-level talks between Washington and Beijing amid tensions over trade, technology and China’s assertive foreign policy in the region.
As North Korea’s major ally and economic lifeline, China is a crucial partner for Kim’s efforts to revive an economy crippled by decades of mismanagement and U.S.-led sanctions over his nuclear weapons and missile program, which he has aggressively expanded in recent years despite limited resources.
As permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, both China and Russia have been thwarting U.S.-led efforts to increase sanctions on the North over its intensified weapons testing activity in recent months, underscoring a divide deepened over Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Washington and Seoul have been urging Beijing to use its economic leverage on North Korea to help persuade Kim’s government to return to nuclear disarmament negotiations, which have stalled since 2019.
Experts say trade activities between North Korea and China are gradually expanding since North Korea eased its pandemic restrictions and reopened the border last year.
___
Follow AP’s Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
veryGood! (978)
Related
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Natalia Grace Case: DNA Test Reveals Ukrainian Orphan's Real Age
- Evansville state Rep. Ryan Hatfield won’t seek reelection to run for judge
- Where is Jeffrey Epstein's island — and what reportedly happened on Little St. James?
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- Elijah Blue Allman files to dismiss divorce from wife following mom Cher's conservatorship filing
- New bridge connecting Detroit to Canada won’t open until fall 2025
- What’s in That Bottle?
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- India’s foreign minister signs a deal to increase imports of electricity from Nepal
Ranking
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Florida Surgeon General Dr. Ladapo wants to halt COVID mRNA vaccines, going against FDA
- Exploding toilet at a Dunkin’ store in Florida left a customer filthy and injured, lawsuit claims
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly decline after mixed Wall Street finish
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Where is Jeffrey Epstein's island — and what reportedly happened on Little St. James?
- A top Hamas official, Saleh al-Arouri, is killed in Beirut blast
- National championship game breakdown: These factors will decide Michigan vs. Washington
Recommendation
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Nevada judge is back to work a day after being attacked by defendant who jumped atop her
Here come 'The Brothers Sun'
T-Mobile offers free Hulu to some customers: Find out if you qualify
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
House Speaker Mike Johnson urges Biden to use executive action at the southern border
Fire at home of Dolphins' star Tyreek Hill was accidental. Fire marshal reveals cause
What’s Going On With the Goats of Arizona