Talks Held w/Chinese MoFA Amid Rising Regional Tensions

(MNI) London - The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a statement following Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong's visit to Pyongyang for talks with his North Korean counterpart Park Myung Ho. The statement says that the two, "exchanged extensive and in-depth views on China-North Korea relations, international and regional situations and other issues of common concern".

• Marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations the two would use the "opportunity to strengthen strategic communication at all levels, deepen traditional friendship and pragmatic cooperation, intensify multilateral coordination and cooperation, and promote China-North Korea relations".
• Increasingly bellicose rhetoric from the North Korean gov't has raised concerns in South Korea and among its allies.
• While the prospect of an outright military conflict between North and South Korea may be slim, there are developments that could destabilise the regional geopolitical landscape.
• North Korea's supposed provision of weapons to Russia will provide valuable real-world battlefield testing of said weaponry, something Pyongyang has previously been unable to attain via conventional missile testing.
• This in turn will elevate concerns in Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington about the future capabilities of North Korean missiles.