Ahead of another big summit between North Korea and the United States,... Pyeongyang and Beijing seek to boost their ties once again, this time through a North Korean arts performance in China.
While celebrating decades of diplomatic ties, the two countries could also have coordinated strategies for the upcoming Pyeongyang-Washington summit.
Oh Jung-hee reports.
North Korea and China are forging stronger ties once again ahead of the North Korea-U.S. summit.
According to Chinese media outlets, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with North Korea's Ri Su-yong in Beijing on Sunday and watched a performance by a visiting North Korean art troupe.
A group of about 280 North Korean artists went to the Chinese capital last week after being invited by China's ruling party... and Ri Su-yong, who heads Pyeongyang's International Department, led the group.

This was the first performance by North Korean artists in China since December 2015.
Pyeongyang and Beijing celebrated their 70 years of diplomatic relations, while exchanging messages of (quote)"cordial greetings" and (quote)"profound friendship."
But while showing their strong ties, Chinese President also took the opportunity to say... that Beijing will pursue an active role in denuclearization talks.
Mentioning he's had four summits with the North Korean leader since 2018, Xi highlighted that Beijing is ready to work with Pyeongyang in achieving world peace and stability.

The concert comes three weeks after Kim Jong-un crossed over to Beijing for the fourth time earlier this year to discuss strategies on nuclear negotiations.
And it also comes a month before the second North Korea-U.S. summit, expected to be held in late February.
Pundits believe Kim Jong-un and Xi Jinping could have exchanged opinions once again on the upcoming summit to coordinate strategies... through the visiting North Korean delegation.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.