Jo Yong-won, a secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, and Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, met in Pyongyang on Wednesday to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, the two held talks on Wednesday. Wang is leading a Chinese delegation on a three-day visit to North Korea through Friday to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.
Jo said the rapidly changing international political situation has required the two countries to further strengthen militant unity, support and solidarity based on the spirit of the treaty. He also said bilateral ties have entered a new stage of development under the leadership of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Wang said the friendship treaty has provided a legal foundation for consolidating the militant friendship formed at the cost of blood between the two countries. He also reaffirmed China's commitment to elevating bilateral ties to a higher level in line with the consensus reached by Xi and Kim during their summit in Pyongyang in June.
The visit comes days after North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song traveled to China for events marking the treaty anniversary. The two sides discussed ways to deepen party-to-party exchanges and expand cooperation in the economy and culture.