Xi Jinping wraps up trip to North Korea, hails ‘ever-renewing friendship’

Xi Jinping wrapped up on Tuesday his first visit to North Korea in seven years, saying it established a deeper, more comprehensive understanding yielding a clearer path for development of ties.

SEOUL, South Korea — Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up on Tuesday his first visit to North Korea in seven years, saying it had established a deeper, more comprehensive understanding yielding a clearer path for development of ties, the official Xinhua news agency said.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Xi agreed to expand cooperation in the areas of politics, economy and culture at a summit in Pyongyang that opened a new chapter in ties, the North‘s official KCNA news agency said.

“The mutual understanding between China and North Korea has become deeper and more comprehensive, and the direction of future development has become clearer and more defined,” Xi told his hosts at a luncheon before his departure, Xinhua added.