북중 외교장관, 평양서 긴밀협력 공감... 왕이, 김정은 만나나<br />China's foreign minister Wang Yi embarked on a three-day trip to North Korea on Monday.<br />According to Beijing, Wang and his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong-ho talked about the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.<br />Oh Jung-hee reports.<br />The foreign ministers of North Korea and China held talks in Pyeongyang on Monday, the first day of Wang Yi's three-day trip to the North.<br />China's foreign ministry says... they shared the latest on the Korean Peninsula and promised to coordinate closely.<br /><br />Pyeongyang and Beijing celebrate their 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations on October 6th.<br />China's top diplomat stressed that Beijing wants to keep improving its friendly relations with the North... and wants close coordination and cooperation in a range of fields.<br />He added, regardless of the changes in the international situation, North Korea and China are on the same boat.<br />The North's Ri responded that the two sides have opened a new era of friendship through the past five summits.<br />Wang and Ri agreed to have a grand celebration for their 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.<br /><br />The Chinese Minister is to stay in the North Korean capital until Wednesday and sources say that Wang could meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.<br />This raises further speculation that Kim Jong-un could make his way to China in October as a return visit for Chinese President Xi Jinping's Pyeongyang visit in June.<br />If that happens, then it will be the sixth summit between Kim and Xi.<br />Observers say that the North would want to deepen relations with China to up its leverage against the U.S. as Pyeongyang-Washington nuclear negotiations have hit a snag.<br />Despite the promise between Kim and Trump to restart working-level negotiations in July,... the talks have yet to happen.<br />The North has rather criticized Washington for its military drills with Seoul and remarks on sanctions, saying their hopes for talks are "fading."<br />Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.<br />
