Wang Huning Accompanies North Korea’s Supreme Leader on a Visit to Dandong

CCTV.com report (Xinwen Lianbo): On October 24, Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, accompanied Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs Commission, on a visit to Dandong. Wang conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and president of China.

That morning, Wang Huning welcomed Kim Jong Un at the square of the Memorial Hall of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea and accompanied him in presenting a floral basket at the memorial tower for the war. The national anthems of China and North Korea were played. To the heartfelt strains of the “Floral Tribute,” honor guards slowly carried the floral basket onto the platform. The ribbon on the basket bore the words in Korean, “Forever remember the martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.” Kim Jong Un ascended the platform, paused in front of the floral basket and carefully straightened the ribbon. Everyone present observed a moment of silence for the martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, in a solemn and dignified atmosphere. Kim Jong Un entered the memorial hall and viewed precious artifacts and historical materials showing the volunteer soldiers’ heroic fighting and China and North Korea fighting side by side. Kim Jong Un presented the memorial hall with historical photographs bearing his handwritten inscription.

During their meeting, Wang Huning said that Comrade General Secretary Kim Jong Un’s special visit to Dandong on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers entering the war abroad to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea fully demonstrates the value the North Korean party and government place on the China–North Korea friendship forged in blood. The visit is of great significance both for carrying forward the traditional friendship between China and North Korea and consolidating public support for friendly ties, and for deepening political mutual trust and jointly pursuing cooperation and development. China is ready to work with North Korea to steadfastly implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, use their shared socialist cause as a bond, and advance China–North Korea relations to a higher level of development. This will better benefit the peoples of both countries and create a peaceful and stable external environment for safeguarding their respective sovereignty, security and development interests.

Kim Jong Un asked Wang Huning to convey his warm greetings and best wishes to General Secretary Xi Jinping. Kim Jong Un said: I have made this special visit to Dandong to remember the martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, who supported North Korea with their lives and blood at a critical historical juncture, and to express North Korea’s heartfelt gratitude and eternal respect for the heroes of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping’s historic visit to North Korea in June this year reflected the great importance he attaches to North Korea–China relations and became a milestone in the development of bilateral relations. North Korea is ready to work with China to carry forward their historic friendship, expand practical cooperation and bring tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

That afternoon, Wang Huning accompanied Kim Jong Un on a visit to an automobile factory in Dandong, where they inspected production workshops and heard a briefing. When Kim Jong Un departed Dandong, Wang Huning saw him off at the New Yalu River Bridge between China and North Korea.

Wang Yi participated in the above activities.