North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid tribute to the millions of Chinese soldiers who fought the US-led coalition to the end and saved his country from defeat in the Korean War, reported Thursday 22 October official media.
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This bloody conflict (1950-53) was the first, and so far the only one, in which the Chinese and American armies clashed directly in a large-scale combat.
In a context of sharp tensions between Beijing and Washington, China makes much of the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the engagement of its army in this war.
China has long been an ally and economic supporter of North Korea.
Former Chairman Mao Tse-tung, whose son Mao Anying died in battle in Korea, described the relationship as "
close as lips and teeth
."
They have fluctuated over the years, however, due to Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.
However, since negotiations between the United States and North Korea have stalled, Pyongyang and Beijing have moved closer.
A symbol of a thaw in Sino-Korean relations
Kim went to the
Chinese "
People's Volunteers
" cemetery
, as the soldiers were called, to celebrate the anniversary, the state-run KCNA news agency reported, calling China's entry into the conflict a "
contribution. history to the great victory
”.
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The coalition led by the United States under the banner of the United Nations had succeeded in pushing back the North Korean troops almost to the border before Mao Tse-tung sent millions of soldiers to lend a hand to the North Koreans .
“
Every region of our country is closely associated with the red blood spilled by Chinese 'People's Volunteers' who courageously fought in the war against the imperialist aggressors,
” Kim said.
Flowers were laid in the name of the North Korean leader in front of the main monument of this cemetery as well as at the foot of the grave of Mao Anying, to whom he paid his respects.
The Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace deal, which means the two neighbors are still, technically, at war.
