‘Eternal Friendship’ … China, North Korea Open ‘New Chapter’ in Ties

Beijing's top legislator Zhao Leji and his North Korean counterpart Choe Ryong Hae are seen in Pyongyang on Friday. (dpa)
Beijing's top legislator Zhao Leji and his North Korean counterpart Choe Ryong Hae are seen in Pyongyang on Friday. (dpa)
TT
20

‘Eternal Friendship’ … China, North Korea Open ‘New Chapter’ in Ties

Beijing's top legislator Zhao Leji and his North Korean counterpart Choe Ryong Hae are seen in Pyongyang on Friday. (dpa)
Beijing's top legislator Zhao Leji and his North Korean counterpart Choe Ryong Hae are seen in Pyongyang on Friday. (dpa)

China's top legislator and a senior North Korean official underscored the opening of a "new chapter" of Beijing-Pyongyang relations, the North's state media said on Saturday, as they met for one of the most high-level talks between the allies in years.

Beijing's third highest-ranking official Zhao Leji - a member of the powerful Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo - is on a goodwill visit to the nuclear-armed North as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic ties, according to AFP.

China is North Korea's most important economic benefactor and diplomatic ally, obstructing US-led efforts at the UN Security Council alongside Russia to impose stricter sanctions on Kim Jong Un's government in response to its increased weapons tests.

Zhao and his North Korean counterpart Choe Ryong Hae attended an opening ceremony for the "year of DPRK-China friendship" in Pyongyang on Friday, North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said, using the acronym for the North's official name.

In a speech, Zhao said it is the "consistent strategic policy" of Beijing to "successfully defend, consolidate and develop" China-North Korea relations, according to KCNA.

China is willing to "thoroughly implement the important common understanding" of the two countries and "open up a new chapter of China-DPRK friendship along with the times", he added.

North Korea's Choe said the two countries' relationship "has greeted a new heyday under the wise leadership" of their leaders, KCNA said.

Some performers wore colorful traditional Korean and Chinese garments, and what appeared to be the final moment of the event highlighted a massive image of the countries' flags, accompanied by the phrase "eternal friendship".

Zhao is China's third highest-ranking official, behind President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Xi last met Kim in 2019 before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, making the Pyongyang meeting between Zhao and Choe one of the most high-level meetings in years.

South Korean local media reports said this week that Zhao's trip could include planning for Kim's next potential state visit to Beijing.

North Korea's rhetoric towards the South has been in stark contrast to the friendly relations with Beijing.

This year, Kim has declared Seoul his country's "principal enemy", jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war over "even 0.001 mm" of territorial infringement.

China's state-run news agency Xinhua said on Friday that Zhao and Choe discussed the "situation on the Korean peninsula", and Zhao expressed Beijing's willingness to "intensify legislative exchanges and cooperation".



Russia Starts First Moscow-Pyongyang Passenger Flights in Decades

FILE PHOTO: People wait outside Terminal C after many flights were cancelled or delayed due to Ukrainian drone attacks, at Sheremetyevo international airport outside Moscow, Russia July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People wait outside Terminal C after many flights were cancelled or delayed due to Ukrainian drone attacks, at Sheremetyevo international airport outside Moscow, Russia July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
TT
20

Russia Starts First Moscow-Pyongyang Passenger Flights in Decades

FILE PHOTO: People wait outside Terminal C after many flights were cancelled or delayed due to Ukrainian drone attacks, at Sheremetyevo international airport outside Moscow, Russia July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People wait outside Terminal C after many flights were cancelled or delayed due to Ukrainian drone attacks, at Sheremetyevo international airport outside Moscow, Russia July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

Russia will launch direct passenger flights from Moscow to North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Sunday, Russian authorities said, as the two former communist bloc allies move to improve ties following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The start of regular flights between the capitals for the first time since the mid-1990s, according to Russian aviation blogs, follows the resumption of Moscow-Pyongyang passenger rail service, a 10-day journey, in June.

The first flight will leave Sheremetyevo airport at 7 p.m. (1600 GMT), according to the airport's timetable.

The eight-hour flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-200ER with a capacity of 440 passengers, Russia's RIA state news agency said on Sunday. It said tickets started at 44,700 roubles ($563), and the first flight quickly sold out.

Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate flights between Moscow and Pyongyang twice a week. The transport ministry said in a statement that for now flights would operate once a month, "to help build stable demand".

The only direct air route between Russia and North Korea has been flights by North Korean carrier Air Koryo to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East three times a week.

Ukraine and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles. Moscow and Pyongyang deny the allegations.

Pyongyang has deployed more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said this month his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.