Xi vows unwavering support for Kim

PYONGYANG: Chinese President Xi Jinping told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday that Beijing would remain committed to protecting shared interests with Pyongyang and would continue backing his leadership, according to an official Chinese summary of their meeting.

During the summit in Pyongyang, Xi said the two neighbours should deepen strategic relations and firmly defend their sovereignty, security and development interests as China seeks closer ties with North Korea. The visit is Xi’s first to the reclusive state in seven years and his first overseas trip of the year.

Xi told Kim he was pleased to be in North Korea and described a particular sense of closeness during the visit. The official summary said he also reaffirmed that China would continue to place high importance on its traditional friendship with North Korea regardless of changes in the international situation.

"I am deeply pleased and also feel a special sense of closeness," Xi said.

"The firm support for Comrade General Secretary Kim Jong Un's leadership of the DPRK socialist cause will not change, and the firm determination to safeguard common interests and good strategic environment.. will not change," he added.

Xi was using the North’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The summit came at a time when North Korea’s economy, strengthened by expanding trade and military ties with Russia, could bolster Kim’s confidence in talks.