Rodong Sinmun, the organ of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, carried a welcoming editorial on the 8th, the day of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the North, emphasizing the development of DPRK-China relations.

In an editorial titled ‘We warmly welcome the envoy of friendship of the Chinese people,’ Rodong Sinmun stated, “The streets of Pyongyang, where Comrade Xi Jinping (Xi Jinping) is being received as the highest state guest, are enveloped in an atmosphere of friendship,” and, “Our people warmly welcome Comrade Xi Jinping, who is visiting again bearing the warm feelings of friendship of the fraternal Chinese people.”

Marking July 11 as the 65th anniversary of the conclusion of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, Rodong Sinmun emphasized, “In this meaningful year, it is the aspiration of the peoples of the two countries to develop the traditional DPRK-China friendship more vigorously across various fields in line with the new demands of the era.”

Rodong Sinmun stated, “The current very chaotic and highly complex international political situation makes it essential that the peoples of the two countries strengthen militant unity and supportive cooperation, and in particular continuously develop bilateral relations for the victorious advance of the socialist cause.” It stressed the need to strengthen bilateral relations amid a situation in which U.S.-China competition is intensifying and the Iran war, among other things, is ongoing.

It also said, “Our people sincerely hope that the Chinese people, firmly united around the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, will achieve greater successes in the struggle to comprehensively build a modern socialist power and will steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and development interests.” It was interpreted as suggesting support for China’s position on issues such as Taiwan.

Rodong Sinmun added, “We will continue to hold firmly to the hands of our Chinese comrades and advance together on the path of pushing forward the socialist cause and safeguarding peace and security in the region and the world.”