China’s Xi says he will work with North Korea to fight hegemony, North Korean media says

SEOUL, June 8 (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping said it is China’s unwavering policy to improve ties with North Korea and that the two countries will work together to fight hegemony and revive militarism, according to comments published in North Korea’s state newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Monday.

The two neighbors will strengthen contacts in all areas to give strong impetus to improving relations and maintaining a fair and just global order, Xi said in a comment.

“We must oppose all attempts and conspiracies to revive hegemony, authoritarianism, and militarism that endanger regional security and stability,” Xi said. he said.

He also pledged to work with North Korea to promote fair and orderly multilateralism and inclusive economic globalization that would benefit the world in building a community with a common destiny for humanity.

Xi is expected to arrive in North Korea on Monday for a two-day visit, his first in seven years, and to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as Beijing tries to pull Pyongyang back into its orbit.

Xi hosted Kim and other leaders at a massive military parade in Beijing last year, where he appeared alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pyongyang has since resumed crossings at the Chinese border and increased purchases that were frozen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Edmund Klamann)