PYONGYANG, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, said on Monday that China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should firmly safeguard their respective sovereignty, security and development interests, and jointly maintain regional peace and development.

During talks with Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, Xi said the two countries should strengthen strategic coordination and cooperation.