Fresh vitality of old bond holds great promise

Since the Democratic People's Republic of Korea first began showing its commitment to improving relations with the Republic of Korea earlier this year, Beijing has thrown its weight behind Pyongyang's efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and seek reconciliation with Seoul and Washington.

The third visit to China in less than three months by Kim Jong-un, top leader of the DPRK, is clear proof of the revitalized friendship between the two neighbors and the close communication between Kim and President Xi Jinping. It also underscores the coordination of Beijing and Pyongyang as they look to bolster the positive outcomes of Kim's meeting with US President Donald Trump in Singapore on June 12.

With the easing of situation on the Korean Peninsula having been effectively strengthened by the implementation of the consensus reached between Beijing and Pyongyang and the meeting between Kim and Trump in Singapore, maintaining the current desirable momentum was naturally high on the agenda for the latest talks between Xi and Kim.