China: We will enhance coordination with North Korea to confront 'hegemony'

China expressed on Sunday its readiness to strengthen cooperation with North Korea to confront what it described as 'hegemony', implicitly referring to the United States, according to statements made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his meeting with North Korean counterpart Choe Son-hui in Beijing.

Wang stated that 'maintaining and enhancing relations between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a consistent strategic policy for Beijing', emphasizing his country's desire to 'expand coordination and cooperation with Pyongyang on international and regional issues, and defend common interests and international justice', according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The visit comes weeks after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit to China, which aimed to consolidate bilateral relations amid tensions with Washington.

Despite periods of chill in relations between the two countries due to the North Korean nuclear program, the political and diplomatic ties between Beijing and Pyongyang have remained strong, as both parties represent a close front against rising U.S. pressures on both economic and geopolitical levels.