North Korea’s top diplomat Choe in China for high-level talks to boost ties

Choe arrived at the Beijing Capital International Airport on Saturday evening.

North Korea’s state-media reported that Choe on Saturday has left Pyongyang for China "by plane for her personal use to visit the People's Republic of China.”

Sunday's report by the Korean Central News Agency noted that Choe and an accompanying delegation were seen off by officials from the ministry and Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun.

This visit is Choe's first solo trip to China since taking office in June 2022, as well as her first direct meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi.

She is anticipated to hold talks with Wang to build on the outcomes of the North Korea-China summit held on Sept. 4, and to align their positions on recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and in the wider region.

North Korea and China confirmed that Choe is visiting from Saturday to Tuesday at the request of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

This year marks 76 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month, marking their sixth meeting since 2018.

During the summit in Beijing, Kim vowed to gradually strengthen ties with China.

The trade volume between North Korea and China was more than $2 billion in 2023.