Anniversary observance, Kim's visit cement ties

The latest high-level engagement between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea took place on Saturday, when DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un visited the Chinese border city of Dandong in Liaoning province, one day ahead of the 76th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers' entry into the DPRK to fight in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53).

China sent 2.9 million CPV troops to assist the DPRK during that war, of whom more than 360,000 were killed or injured. On Sunday, China commemorated the 76th anniversary of the CPV's entry into the war with a solemn ceremony held in Shenyang, Liaoning, where around 400 participants, including war veterans, gathered to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.

On Saturday, top political adviser Wang Huning accompanied Kim during his one-day visit to China. He greeted Kim at the square of the Memorial Hall of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea and accompanied the DPRK's top leader as he placed a flower basket at the memorial tower.

Inside the memorial hall, Kim viewed the historical artifacts that showcased the bravery of the martyrs and how the Chinese and DPRK soldiers fought side by side. He gifted a historical photo bearing his personal inscription to the hall.

During their meeting, Wang said Kim's trip to Dandong fully demonstrated how much the party and the government of the DPRK value the bilateral friendship forged with blood.

Wang, who is chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said Kim's visit was highly significant, as it not only carried forward the traditional friendship and consolidated public support for friendship, but also deepened political mutual trust between the two countries and advanced cooperation and development.

Kim said that he came to Dandong on the special trip to pay tribute to the martyrs of the CPV, who sacrificed their lives to support the DPRK at a critical historical juncture, and he expressed his country's heartfelt gratitude and eternal respect for these heroes.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, Kim thanked China for its long-term support and assistance to the DPRK's socialist cause, and said the prospects for cooperation between the two sides are very broad.

The meeting marked the latest high-level interaction between the two countries this year, following President Xi Jinping's state visit to the DPRK in June. In July, Pak Thae-song, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, led a delegation on an official visit to Beijing, while Wang made an official goodwill visit to the DPRK.

Kim's last trip to China was in September 2025, and the Dandong visit — a rare trip by the DPRK top leader to a Chinese border city — came just nine days after the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge, linking Dandong in Liaoning province with Sinuiju in the DPRK's North Pyongan Province.

Wang, the top political adviser, said Beijing and Pyongyang should take the opening of the new cross-border bridge as an opportunity to expand people-to-people exchanges and trade cooperation in order to bring greater benefits to the two peoples.

When Kim left Dandong, Wang saw him off at the bridge. Enjoying a bird's-eye view from the middle point of the bridge, Kim expressed hope that the bridge would fulfill its historic mission of linking the two countries and firmly joining the two peoples, the Korean Central News Agency reported.

Analysts said the visit, as well as the opening of the bridge, highlighted Dandong's unique place in China-DPRK ties, demonstrating the two countries' concrete steps to cement their ties and promote regional stability and prosperity.

Lyu Chao, director of Liaoning University's Institute of American and East Asian Studies, said Dandong boasts an airport, ports, high-speed rail and highways, providing it with exceptional conditions for developing into an integrated logistics hub in Northeast China and even the broader Northeast Asia region.

Wu Yong in Shenyang contributed to this story.