North Korea stresses 'blood alliance' with China

By Kim Rahn

North Korea has stressed that cooperation with China is essential for peace on the Korean Peninsula, saying they are "blood allies."

The stance comes after its leader Kim Jong-un visited Beijing for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this week. This was Kim's first trip outside the North and first bilateral talks with the head of a foreign state since taking power in late 2011.

Pyongyang's state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper published an editorial titled "A historic visit that unfolded a new era of North Korea-China friendship," Friday, and said Kim's visit to China clearly showed Pyongyang values its relations with Beijing.

"The blood alliance has been made through holy struggles that aimed for joint great achievement," it said. "As the relationship is not severable, it has been maintained and remained intact despite various troubles throughout history."

The newspaper indirectly admitted relations had been strained before the summit, saying the two countries have faced changes in situations through time. "However, through the hardship, it was again proved that strengthening solidarity and cooperation between the nations is an essential prerequisite in building people's happy future and keeping the peace and stability of the region."

It said the Pyongyang-Beijing friendship and brotherhood would last forever like the flow of the Amnok River, called the Yalu River in China, which runs along the western border of the two countries.

Xi's exceptional hospitality to Kim

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, second from left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, third from left, have dinner along with their wives during Kim's visit to Beijing for summit, Monday. / Yonhap

Meanwhile, announcements and photos released by the two countries showed Xi provided top treatment to Kim.

Kim made an "unofficial visit" to China, but Xi provided a welcoming ceremony equivalent to those offered to state guests, with Xi, Vice President Wang Qishan, Premier Li Keqiang and other ranking officials greeting Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju.

When Kim's grandfather Kim Il-sung visited China in 1989 and his father Kim Jong-il visited in 2001 and 2004, there were no welcoming ceremonies.

The Xi and Kim couples watched a performance together while having dinner, which was also the first such event between Chinese and North Korean leaders. It was also the first time that a North Korean leader was accompanied by his wife on a trip to China.

According to footage released by the North's Korean Central TV, Xi offered Kim various presents, including a large-sized ceramic vase, a tea set and scarves.