National flags of the People's Repbulic of China (R) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (Photo: CFP)

China on Wednesday said it stands ready to work with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to strengthen strategic communication, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and further advance the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks during a regular press briefing in Beijing after the ministry announced an official visit to Pyongyang.

At the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will visit the DPRK from April 9 to 10, according to a statement from its website.

The train No. 95 from Dandong of China to Pyongyang of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) passes a border bridge in Dandong, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 12, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

She described Wang's upcoming visit as an important step by both sides to implement the consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, and to promote the steady development of bilateral relations.

Noting that China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, Mao said that it has always been an unwavering strategic principle of the CPC and the Chinese government to maintain, consolidate and develop China-DPRK relations.