CHINA HAS told Pyongyang that the relationship between the allies has withstood international “tempests”.
“The traditional friendship of China and North Korea has withstood the tests of international tempests and changes, and replenished itself over time,” Wu Bangguo, China’s chief legislator, told a visiting North Korean delegation.
The story was reported in the Communist Party's official organ, the People's Daily.
Beijing has been under pressure from Washington to bring North Korea to heel after last week’s artillery attack on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong island.
Mr Wu’s remarks come days after leaked US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks appeared to reveal Beijing’s growing frustration with the North.
There was no reference by Mr Wu to the shelling of the South Korean island or the long-running dispute over the North’s nuclear programme.
Beijing and Pyongyang were committed to “strengthening strategic communication” and economic co-operation, said Mr Wu. They would “promote the constant advancement of friendly co-operation between China and North Korea”.
China has refused to blame its ally for shelling Yeonpyeong, which destroyed dozens of houses and killed four people, or for the sinking of the South Korean naval vessel Cheonan in March.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s spy chief Won Sei-hoon said it was highly likely the isolated North would attack its wealthy neighbour again once a flotilla of United States vessels had left the region. The US and the South concluded the four-day naval exercise on Wednesday.
Chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff Adm Mike Mullen said last week’s bombardment threatened the region’s stability, home to three of Asia’s biggest economies.
The attack has been read as an effort by Pyongyang to force the resumption of international negotiations that could bring it badly needed food and economic aid. The bombardment could also be an attempt to boost the military credentials of the country’s leader in waiting, Kim Jong-un, the youngest son of North Korea’s ailing leader Kim Jong-il.
China has called for emergency talks between the six nations involved in North Korean denuclearisation talks – both Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.
The negotiations are aimed at ending the North’s nuclear programme but have been stalled since December 2008 after North Korea walked out. The foreign ministers of the US, Japan and South Korea are to meet in Washington on Monday next to discuss North Korea. China is not included.