Capitals: Agencies
US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, said that he held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in the Chinese capital, Beijing, on Friday, during which they discussed many issues.
“I had an in-depth and substantive meeting today with Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi, as part of our efforts to responsibly manage competition,” Blinken wrote on X.
He added: "We discussed areas of difference, as well as areas of common interest - such as the fight against drugs - where we can build on progress to bring benefits to both our peoples."
For his part, the Chinese Foreign Minister stressed, “China’s approach has always been consistent, as it looks at the relations between China and the United States and their development based on the global vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity.”
According to Xinhua, Wang Yi said, "China's position has always been consistent. China adheres to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and is committed to promoting the stable, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations."
He added, "China's demand has always been consistent, as China proposes to respect each other's core interests, and urges the American side not to interfere in China's internal affairs, contain China's development, or cross China's red lines when it comes to China's sovereignty, security, and development interests."
On the other hand, North Korean media reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test-firing of missiles produced by a new military company.
Yesterday, Kim supervised the launch of 240 mm multiple rocket launcher shells developed by a new national defense industrial company, North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinom, affiliated with the ruling Workers' Party, reported, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported on Friday.

Kim praised the missiles, stressing the importance of the company continuing its plan to produce 240 mm ammunition this year, according to what the newspaper reported.

For its part, the South Korean Yonhap Agency indicated that North Korea appears to be enhancing the development of rocket launcher missiles in an attempt to export them to Russia.

Last Monday, North Korea tested what it called very large missiles, believed to be short-range missiles.