Ahead of another big summit between North Korea and the United States,... Pyeongyang and Beijing seek to boost their ties once again, this time through a North Korean arts performance in China.<br />While celebrating decades of diplomatic ties, the two countries could also have coordinated strategies for the upcoming Pyeongyang-Washington summit.<br />Oh Jung-hee reports. <br />North Korea and China are forging stronger ties once again ahead of the North Korea-U.S. summit.<br />According to Chinese media outlets, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with North Korea's Ri Su-yong in Beijing on Sunday and watched a performance by a visiting North Korean art troupe.<br />A group of about 280 North Korean artists went to the Chinese capital last week after being invited by China's ruling party... and Ri Su-yong, who heads Pyeongyang's International Department, led the group.<br /><br />This was the first performance by North Korean artists in China since December 2015.<br />Pyeongyang and Beijing celebrated their 70 years of diplomatic relations, while exchanging messages of (quote)"cordial greetings" and (quote)"profound friendship."<br />But while showing their strong ties, Chinese President also took the opportunity to say... that Beijing will pursue an active role in denuclearization talks.<br />Mentioning he's had four summits with the North Korean leader since 2018, Xi highlighted that Beijing is ready to work with Pyeongyang in achieving world peace and stability.<br /><br />The concert comes three weeks after Kim Jong-un crossed over to Beijing for the fourth time earlier this year to discuss strategies on nuclear negotiations.<br />And it also comes a month before the second North Korea-U.S. summit, expected to be held in late February.<br />Pundits believe Kim Jong-un and Xi Jinping could have exchanged opinions once again on the upcoming summit to coordinate strategies... through the visiting North Korean delegation.<br />Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News. <br />
