Beijing: A Chinese civic group focused on fostering economic exchanges with Asian nations recently visited North Korea, meeting with the top Chinese envoy in Pyongyang. The Chinese Embassy in North Korea reported that the envoy advocated for enhanced cooperation with the North.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun conducted a meeting on Monday with a delegation from the China-Asia Economic Development Association (CAEDA). This visit is part of the group's efforts to strengthen ties under China's Belt and Road Initiative and promote economic and cultural exchanges in the region.

During the meeting, Ambassador Wang highlighted that China-North Korea relations have reached a "new stage of development," which has resulted in increased bilateral exchanges and cooperation across various sectors. He encouraged the CAEDA to "seize the opportunity" to further economic and trade-related partnerships with North Korea. Wang also noted that the reopening of rail and flight services between the two countries has provided fresh momentum for bilateral interactions.

Quan Shunji, president of the CAEDA, expressed his commitment to leveraging the visit to enhance working-level cooperation with North Korea, aiming to further strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

Coinciding with the meeting, China's national airline, Air China, resumed direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang after a six-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, effectively reopening the air route between the two nations. It is believed that the CAEDA president was aboard the Air China flight that traveled from Beijing to Pyongyang on Monday.