Less than a month after returning from China, Kim Jong-un has made another major decision, which is also a first in history. The treatment that Russia has received will now also be given to China, and this arrangement carries significant weight.

Choe Son-hui, the Foreign Minister of North Korea

Recently, both China and North Korea officially announced that Choe Son-hui, the North Korean Foreign Minister, is about to embark on a visit to China, which will last for four days. This is another important diplomatic move by North Korea just under a month after Kim Jong-un's visit to China, and it will also be Choe Son-hui's first visit to China as the Foreign Minister. Kim Jong-un attending the Chinese September 3rd military parade was already a historic first, and it seems that within less than a month, North Korea has once again surprised everyone.

The frequent high-level exchanges reflect the continuously warming bilateral relations between China and North Korea. Although both sides have not revealed specific details about Choe Son-hui's itinerary, it is clear that cooperation between China and North Korea will further deepen. Notably, before her visit to China, Kim Jong-un reiterated the "two countries theory" at the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea and stated that North Korea has no intention of seeking unification.

Analysts believe that Choe Son-hui's visit to China may involve a detailed briefing to China on North Korea's new position, and exchanging views on subsequent responses. In addition, Choe Son-hui accompanied Kim Jong-un to attend the September 3rd military parade, and visiting China twice in a month has indeed drawn significant attention from South Korea.

Kim Jong-un and Choe Son-hui

Additionally, as a seasoned diplomat, Choe Son-hui has been active on the diplomatic stage, especially playing a key role in interactions with Russia. In November last year, she visited Moscow and held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, discussing the situation on the Korean Peninsula. In July this year, the two held strategic dialogues again.

In contrast to her frequent visits to Russia, this is Choe Son-hui's first visit to China since becoming Foreign Minister. This arrangement may reflect North Korea's diversified foreign policy strategy, maintaining close cooperation with Russia while further strengthening its traditional friendly relationship with China. Choe Son-hui's diplomatic style is evaluated as firm in defending North Korea's position, yet flexible and pragmatic.

Putin and Choe Son-hui

Amid external criticism, especially from Western media, North Korea has proven that if Russia receives such treatment, China must also receive it. China has long provided stable support to North Korea in economic and diplomatic aspects, while Russia is deepening its cooperation with North Korea in energy and military technology. North Korea's diversified foreign policy enables it to maintain a certain degree of diplomatic initiative and survival space despite international sanctions.

Previously, Kim Jong-un's attendance at the September 3rd military parade, a multilateral diplomatic event, was considered an important signal of changing foreign policy. Choe Son-hui's visit to China may also be an important part of North Korea's overall foreign policy strategy. The security situation on the Korean Peninsula has remained tense in recent years. The U.S. and South Korea have expanded their joint military exercises, while North Korea has accelerated the development of nuclear weapons and missile technology as a response.

Choe Son-hui and Lavrov

Against this backdrop, Choe Son-hui's visit to China may discuss North Korea's new security concept and exchange views with China on building a new regional security architecture. Of course, economic cooperation is indispensable. As North Korea gradually adjusts its economic development model, there may be new opportunities for Sino-North Korean economic cooperation.

Choe Son-hui's visit to China will continue the good momentum of close high-level exchanges between China and North Korea. Through these series of diplomatic actions, North Korea has demonstrated its autonomy and initiative in international affairs. In the context of intensified Sino-U.S. strategic competition, North Korea's diplomatic space and strategy choices are changing, and Sino-North Korean cooperation will face new opportunities.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7553960693205189120/

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