Importance of North Korea ‘will not change’, Xi tells Kim

President Xi Jinping reassured Kim Jong-un of North Korea's enduring importance to China on Thursday, saying Beijing’s position “will not change” as the two leaders met for talks.

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Mr Kim has been on a rare foreign visit to China, his most important ally, joining Russia's Vladimir Putin alongside Mr Xi at a massive military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Mr Kim and Mr Xi held talks on Thursday evening at Beijing's Great Hall ofthe People, where the Chinese president said his country attached “great importance to the traditional friendship” with North Korea.

Beijing is “willing to maintain, consolidate and develop” bilateral ties, Mr Xi said according to state news agency Xinhua.

“No matter how the international situation changes, this position will not change,” Mr Xi was quoted as saying.