Xi says North Korea-China ties have entered 'new historic journey' after summit without denuclearization

Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his one-night, two-day state visit to North Korea by sending a message of gratitude saying he was "satisfied with the outcomes of the visit" and that "China-North Korea relations have entered a new historic journey." Kim Jong-un, for his part, is widely seen as having secured guarantees for his regime through the summit — and, most notably, succeeded in keeping denuclearization off the table entirely.

According to KCNA on Wednesday, Xi sent the message of thanks on Tuesday, the day he returned home, expressing gratitude for the warm reception shown by Kim, his wife Ri Sol-ju and the North Korean people during the visit. Xi said the welcome "fully demonstrated the deep friendship between the two parties and two countries of China and North Korea."

Xi said that he and Kim "exchanged in-depth views on issues of common concern and reached a series of important common understandings, adding new substance befitting the times to China-North Korea relations."

He added that the visit "demonstrated the firm resolve of both sides to carry forward traditional friendship, jointly promote development and prosperity, and safeguard peace and stability in the region and the wider world."

The Rodong Sinmun, the ruling Workers' Party newspaper read by ordinary North Koreans, devoted four of its six pages Wednesday to coverage of Xi's visit. The front page featured the national emblems and flags of both countries and carried the phrase "The history and tradition of China-North Korea friendship shall be eternal" in red lettering, along with news of Xi's wreath-laying at the Friendship Tower and 10 accompanying photographs.

The Friendship Tower is a monument honoring Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers who died on North Korean soil during the Korean War. The paper also published images of Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan, Kim and Ri Sol-ju, and senior officials from both countries examining historical materials and photographs displayed inside the memorial.

Page two carried news of Xi's visit to the Workers' Party Central Cadres School, filled with 16 related photographs. Page three reported on a luncheon attended by Xi and Kim along with their respective spouses, set against the backdrop of a large aquarium. Wednesday's edition of the Rodong Sinmun carried 52 photographs in total.

At Monday's summit talks, Xi put forward four proposals: consolidating high-level exchange guidelines and political mutual trust; strengthening exchanges across multiple areas and deepening mutual learning; elevating the level of practical cooperation and promoting the welfare of the people; and carrying on traditional friendship while strengthening bonds between the peoples of the two countries. He particularly stressed the need to "strengthen exchanges in diplomacy, law enforcement and the military." It was the first time the two leaders had mentioned military exchanges at a summit. North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun were notably present in the meeting room — an unusual arrangement.

In his welcoming remarks, Kim had said he would "guide the China-North Korea friendship to new heights and develop it into the most powerful and strategic model of relations between socialist states." Xi responded by saying that "China and North Korea have always shared the same destiny, and the traditional China-North Korea friendship, with its long history, is an indestructible friendship."

Meanwhile, Kim's daughter Ju-ae was absent from all of Xi's official engagements during the visit. She has accompanied Kim on dozens of on-site inspections and political events over the years, steadily raising her public profile. Her absence is considered somewhat surprising given that she traveled with Kim to Beijing last September for China's 80th anniversary of victory in World War II — a trip that lent considerable weight to speculation that she has been designated as his successor. There is also a possibility that the Chinese side was uncomfortable with her participation. If Xi were to appear alongside Ju-ae at a public event, it could in effect be interpreted as endorsing a fourth-generation hereditary succession in North Korea.