Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of strategic cooperation with North Korea in an article published by DPRK state media on Monday, ahead of his first visit to Pyongyang in seven years.

The commentary, carried on the front page of the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun, called for socialist solidarity and opposition to “hegemonism and power politics” to mark the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.

The article signaled a more overtly geopolitical framing of bilateral ties than during his previous trip in 2019.

Xi described China and North Korea as “friendly