What’s new: China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong said Russia and North Korea have “normal needs” for bilateral relations developments after the two neighbors signed a mutual defense pact during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang on Wednesday.
“As friendly neighbors, North Korea and Russia have normal needs for exchanges and relationship development, and their high-level engagements are bilateral arrangements between two sovereign states,” Sun said in a ministry statement.
Sun made the remarks in Seoul on Wednesday during the inaugural deputy ministerial-level “2+2” dialogue on diplomatic and security affairs between China and South Korea.
The South Korean side mentioned the interactions and cooperation between North Korea and Russia during the dialogue, the statement said. Under the mutual defense pact, Russia and North Korea pledged to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance in the event the other is attacked, according to media reports.
What’s more: During the dialogue in Seoul, Chinese and South Korean officials exchanged views on the issue of Korean Peninsula. Tension remains high on the peninsula amid North Korea’s launch of short-range ballistic missiles and trash-laden balloons last month.
China emphasized that maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula serves the common interests of all parties involved, including China and South Korea, the statement said. Chinese officials said the urgent task on the peninsula is to cool tensions and avoid escalating confrontation, while adhering to a political solution.
Contact reporter Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)
