Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and president, and his wife, Peng Liyuan, greet Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, in Beijing on January 8 (XINHUA) 

President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, reached important consensuses after holding talks on January 8-9 during Kim’s fourth trip to China in less than a year.

Analysts said that the DPRK leader’s frequent visits to China showed that the bilateral ties, based on the common interests of both countries, are being enhanced continuously.

The two sides agreed to make joint efforts to push for development of China-DPRK relations in the new era, advance the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue, bring more benefits to people of both sides and contribute to the peace, stability, prosperity and development of the region and the world.

Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that with the concerted efforts of both nations, China-DPRK relations opened a historic new chapter last year, and they have displayed the resolute determination to jointly advance the political settlement of the peninsula issue.

Xi said he is willing to work with Kim to “make sound efforts to guide the future development of the China-DPRK relationship”.

The two nations should maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation and promote the long-term, healthy and stable development of China-DPRK relations, Xi said.

Kim said he was grateful to Xi for taking time from a busy schedule at the beginning of the year to receive the DPRK delegation.

“Under the utmost care of Comrade General Secretary, DPRK-China relations last year were elevated to a new height and a new chapter was written,” Kim said

On the situation of the Korean Peninsula, Xi spoke highly of the positive measures taken by the DPRK to promote denuclearization on the peninsula.

Major progress was made in the process of a political solution to the Korean Peninsula issue last year with joint efforts of China, the DPRK and relevant parties, Xi said.