China and North Korea have jointly announced plans to designate 2024 as the 'China-DPRK Friendship Year,' unveiling a series of collaborative activities. Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un revealed the initiative in their New Year messages, reinforcing the longstanding strategic alliance between the two nations.
Despite being close allies, recent reports suggest that China is expressing concerns about North Korea's growing security ties with Russia, particularly after Kim's visit to Moscow in September and the successful launch of a spy satellite with Russian assistance. Speculation arose that North Korea received technical support from Russia in exchange for weapons to support the conflict in Ukraine, a claim both countries vehemently denied.
In their New Year messages, Xi emphasized the enduring bilateral ties between China and North Korea, stating that their traditional friendly cooperation has entered a new historical period. Both leaders highlighted the significance of 2024 as the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Friendship Year aims to strengthen bonds through activities spanning politics, economy, and culture. The leaders expressed their commitment to deepening the friendship, unity, and cooperation between China and North Korea, contributing to regional and global peace and stability. Observers suggest that while China values its alliance with North Korea, it remains cautious about being part of a trilateral axis that might trigger a 'new Cold War.' The joint announcement seeks to reaffirm and showcase the unbreakable friendship forged in the struggle for socialism between China and North Korea.
(With Agency Inputs)
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