China’s Xi and North Korea’s Kim pledge deeper ties during meeting in Beijing

Mr Xi and Mr Kim, along with top officials from their countries, met at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People a day after Mr Kim attended a Chinese military parade alongside other foreign leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Kim is making a rare trip outside North Korea.

Mr Xi highlighted the “traditional friendship” between China and North Korea and pledged to consolidate and boost relations, according to a readout of their statements published by state broadcaster CCTV.

“This position will not change regardless of how the international situation evolves,” Mr Xi told Mr Kim, according to CCTV.

China has been North Korea’s biggest trading partner and aid provider, although questions have lingered about the strength of their bilateral relationship.

In recent years, Mr Ki