Kim meets Wang Huning, China's No. 4 official, in Dandong

Kim tours auto factory before being seen off at new bridge

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. [Yonhap]
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. [Yonhap]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited Dandong in China's Liaoning Province on Saturday, meeting Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the country's fourth-ranked official, to reaffirm both sides' commitment to expanding economic cooperation.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that Wang received Kim in Dandong and accompanied him throughout his schedule, according to Yonhap. Xinhua made no mention of Premier Li Qiang — China's No. 2 official — whom South Korean government sources had earlier said Kim also met.

During his meeting with Wang, Kim said he was grateful for China's longstanding support for North Korea's socialist cause and said "the prospects for cooperation between the two sides are very broad."

Kim added that North Korea "admires" the development achievements China has attained under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the important international standing China has rightfully earned. He said he hoped to "carry on the historic friendship and expand practical cooperation with China to bring tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries."

Wang said Kim's visit "carries important significance in continuing the traditional friendship between China and North Korea, consolidating friendly public sentiment, deepening political mutual trust and jointly pursuing cooperative development."

Wang also said he hoped the opening of the new Yalu River Bridge would serve as an opportunity to expand people-to-people exchanges and economic and trade cooperation, bringing greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.

Xinhua said Kim and Wang visited an automobile factory in Dandong, where Kim toured the production floor and received briefings on operations. The agency added that Wang accompanied Kim to the new Yalu River Bridge to see him off when he departed Dandong.


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