Special Reception for China’s Official: Kim Jong Un’s Gesture Sparks Speculation

North Korea’s special reception for China’s 3rd-ranking official
Kim Jong Un: What does it mean for potential talks with President Xi?

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been making headlines for his special reception of the third-ranking official from China visiting Pyongyang.

On the 12th, Zhao Leji, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, visited North Korea. The third-ranking official in China, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, is equivalent to the Speaker of the House in the U.S.

Zhao is the highest-ranking Chinese official visiting North Korea since the country reopened its borders, which were closed in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Zhao visited North Korea to attend the Year of China-North Korea Friendship opening ceremony.

Kim Jong Un warmly greeted Zhao, hugging him three times. They held hands during their greetings and continued to do so as they moved around.

Kim also prepared gifts for Zhao. Among them was a sculpture of eight galloping horses, ceramics, and what appeared to be a box of Maotai, China’s national liquor, aged 30 years.

After their meeting, the two officials had lunch together. During this, Kim Jong Un was reported to have toasted “President Xi Jinping’s longevity.”

North Korean experts in South Korea interpret this as a statement made with a potential summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in mind, a summit that has not occurred since 2019.

Kim also personally saw off Zhao after lunch, ensuring every opportunity to show his respect.

Kim bid farewell to Zhao with a bright smile and a respectful gesture of bringing his hands together.

During their meeting, they reportedly focused on measures to expand and strengthen the exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong Un emphasized that “the development of China-North Korea relations is an unchanging and firm policy” and that “the common will of the two parties and countries will lead to the responsible progress and fruitful results of the Year of China-North Korea Friendship.”

China’s state-run broadcaster CCTV reported that “China’s party and government always view China-North Korea relations from a strategic height and a long-term perspective” and that “under the strategic guidance of the top leaders, the two countries will achieve new results in practical cooperation.”

However, it remains unclear whether China, considering its relations with the United States, will readily respond to North Korea’s desired summit.

North Korea and China, which established diplomatic relations in 1949, are reactivating their exchanges this year to mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently produced a commemorative logo for the 75th anniversary Year of China-North Korea Friendship.

The circular commemorative logo features the national flags of both countries arranged in the shape of a bridge at the top, symbolizing the traditional friendly relations and bonds between the two countries. Below are the political symbols of both countries: the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang and the Tiananmen Memorial in Beijing.